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New York Knicks: Keys to defeating the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 27

By Maxwell Ogden

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks handles the ball while being guarded by Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks handles the ball while being guarded by Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 25: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks celebrate during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 25, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Matteo Marchi/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 25: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks celebrate during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 25, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Matteo Marchi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Player To Watch: Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter is coming off of the best game of his professional basketball career. Matched up against an All-NBA frontrunner in Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, Kanter scored and rebounded at virtual will for the New York Knicks.

Requiring Kanter to go off for 31 points and 22 rebounds again would be irresponsible, but he’ll need to have another strong showing in 2017-18.

The Chicago Bulls currently rank No. 20 in the NBA in points allowed in the paint per game and No. 26 in opponent field goal percentage at the rim. Thus, the Knicks should be able to work the ball inside on a consistent basis.

Aside from go-to scorer Kristaps Porzingis, who’s expected to step up, there’s no better interior presence on the team than Kanter.

Kanter will have a tough time posting up against Robin Lopez, but these are the type of matchups that need to be won. The Knicks must shoot efficiently from beyond the arc, but they must also be able establish control of the interior on both ends of the floor.

If Kanter manages to establish his presence as a rebounder and post player, the Knicks should do what they failed to the first time around: Control the pace.

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