Tonight’s Bulls-Knicks matchup is the 1st of 5 NBA Wednesdays on ABC in January.
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The Knicks look for their second straight win with their new-look roster after acquiring OG Anunoby from Toronto on Dec. 30. The Bulls look to rebound from a loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday as they face New York on the second night of a back-to-back (8:30 ET, ABC).
This game marks the first meeting between the longtime rivals in over a calendar year (377 days to be exact, but who’s counting) and the debut of NBA Wednesdays on ABC throughout January.
ABC Wednesdays in January
The Knicks made the move to add Anunoby (in exchange for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley) nearly six weeks before the trade deadline when Anunoby was expected to have many suitors.
An All-Defensive Second Team selection last season, Anunoby made his presence felt in his Knicks debut (and win) on New Year’s Day. Facing the West-leading Wolves, Anunoby split time defending both Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns and helped hold Minnesota to its fifth-lowest scoring game of the season.
“He’s a competitor. He makes timely shots, timely plays on the defensive end,” said Julius Randle of his new teammate. “He has to guard the best player. It’s not an easy job.”
Anunoby will face a familiar face in Bulls’ leading scorer (and former Raptors teammate) DeMar DeRozan. The two have met twice already this season, with Anunoby holding DeRozan to just eight points on 21.4% (3-for-14) shooting.
DeRozan had a team-high 16 points on Tuesday for Chicago, who lost Patrick Williams and Coby White to ankle injuries during the game. Their status for Wednesday remains unknown.
In his last five games against the Knicks, DeRozan has 28.4 points with three 30+ games, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Meanwhile, Randle has averaged 22.8 points, 12.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
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