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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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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 23: Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls brings the ball up court during the first half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 23, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 23: Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls brings the ball up court during the first half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 23, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Opposing Player To Watch: Kris Dunn

The New York Knicks have done a solid job in recent games of preventing opposing point guards from producing efficient offense. That’s due in large part to Frank Ntilikina’s on-ball defense and Jeff Hornacek’s under-appreciated scheme.

True as that may be, this would be the worst game for New York to let up on the defensive end of the floor against opposing point guards—namely because of Kris Dunn.

The Chicago Bulls are one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA, as evidenced by their ranking of No. 29 in offensive rating. That puts a significant measure of pressure on their point guards to create for others in a system that otherwise fails to open the floor for shooters and slashing scorers.

No player has done a better job of attempting to resurrect the Bulls’ offense in 2017-18 than the second-year point guard who’s beginning to silence his critics: Dunn.

Over the course of the past 14 games, Dunn is averaging 15.0 points, 7.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals on a slash line of .468/.344/.618. That includes the 17 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and three steals he posted during Chicago’s 104-102 win over the Knicks.

If the Knicks manage to contain Dunn this time around, then they should be able to limit the overall effectiveness of Chicago’s offense.

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