The Chicago Bulls get set to take on the injury-depleted New York Knicks as both teams make a final push towards the playoffs, starting Friday night inside the famed United Center in Chicago, IL. They tip it off at 8:00 pm. 

Bookmaker has installed Bulls as a slim - 1 1/2 point favorite. 

The Knicks are starting to resemble the walking wounded. They received devastating injury news when the team learned that power forward Julius Randle would be lost for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. The tough veteran has been out since January 27^th after dislocating his shoulder and trying to rehab and fight through it. 

New York will lose its veteran leader and his 24 points per contest, along with just under ten rebounds per night. They now need role players and their bench to step up and make plays when called upon. This is a huge blow to their offense and also to their defensive side of the floor. 

They entered Thursday night's action, dropping three straight and needing a win to regain confidence. 

Look for Jalen Brunson to carry more of the burden on the offensive side of the floor now. He enters this game averaging around 28 points per game and has clearly shown that he can be the face of the franchise and a floor general.

The Bulls have dealt with injuries this season, but they have not had the same expectations as the Knicks coming into the season. Chicago is still a young team, and they are growing as a team and learning each and every night they step out on the floor. 

They have dealt with a ton of inconsistency and would love to damper the Knicks' playoff hopes with a win. If they are to earn one, they need to be more careful with the basketball and cut down on their turnovers. 

On offense, they are led by small forward DeMar DeRozan, who is a solid offensive cog for the team and a veteran who is not shy about taking the big shot late. He can still put up some points, averaging around 23 points per contest, with 4.3 rebounds and close to six assists per night. 

Look for the Bulls to try to exploit Randle's loss and work the ball inside the paint and lane. If they can get some easy buckets, they can easily win this game. The Knicks have been punched in the gut; now, the Bulls need to take advantage of it. 

The Bulls are 2-3 in their last five games and 2-3 in their previous five games against the spread. They are also 19-17 in their road games against the number. The totals have gone over in one out of their last five games, and the totals have gone over in 19 out of their last 39 games at home. The Knicks are 2-3 in their previous five games and 3-2 in their last five games against the number, and they are a solid 20-16 in their road games against the spread, too. The totals have gone over in five out of their last five games, and the totals have gone over in 12 out of their last 38 games at home.