Knicks vs. Bulls: Breaking Down the Matchups at Each Position

Tonight, the New York Knicks will look to snap their five-game losing streak. Unfortunately for them, it won't be easy, as they will be facing the Chicago Bulls, who currently own the best record in the NBA.  On top of that, the game is being played at the United Center, so Carmelo and company will have a hell of a time fighting against the rival crowd.

However, let's not rule out the Knicks just yet. The Bulls will be without both Richard Hamilton and Luol Deng for tonight's game, and as good as the team is, the lack of those two could prove to be a big loss.

In fact, let's break down the matchups at each position and determine just who will win tonight.

Center: Tyson Chandler vs. Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah has really come into his own for the Bulls this year, as he is finally focused solely on defense and less on being the star of the game. Against the struggling Knicks, tonight is an opportunity for him to do some major work under the basket.

Yet he will have to tangle with Tyson Chandler, who is 7'1" to Noah's 6'11".  Chandler is having a great season with the Knicks, averaging 11.5 points and 9.8 rebounds.

However, it should be noted that Chandler has been slowed by wrist and hamstring injuries recently and just hasn't shown the same aggression and intensity on the floor as he did at the start of the season. With that wrist still bothering him and the hamstring nagging, he could have a hard time keeping up.

Edge: Noah

Power Forward: Carlos Boozer vs. Amar'e Stoudemire

Boozer and Stoudemire are two very unique power forwards. One tends to stay on the inside and play soft-ish defense, while the other has a sick jump shot and is basically a scorer who can rebound.

That said, I have to give the edge to Stoudemire. He's more of a leader than Boozer and a better athlete in general even though he has had issues finding his shooting touch this year.

No matter how you look at it, his size and skills give him the advantage.

Edge: Stoudemire

Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony vs. Kyle Korver

Were Luol Deng playing tonight, this pick would be much harder. His being hurt makes it far easier.

Though primarily a scorer, Anthony is a well-rounded player who can rebound almost as well as he can score points. Kyle Korver, on the other hand, is just a shooter.

Edge: Anthony

Shooting Guard: Ronnie Brewer vs. Landry Fields

I won't lie in saying that even if Richard Hamilton were playing tonight, the Knicks would still be at an advantage. Hamilton is a scorer/shooter, while Landry Fields can do it all: shoot threes, drive the lane and play some excellent defense.

Hamilton's replacement, Ronnie Brewer, is a defensive pest and could prove to be a challenge for Fields, but the former Stanford Cardinal is that good an athlete that he'll adapt his approach to whatever Brewer throws at him.

Edge: Fields

Point Guard: Jeremy Lin vs. Derrick Rose

In terms of matchups, this one is the most open-and-shut. The reigning MVP easily has the edge over the inconsistent Harvard grad.

Edge: Rose

Bench

On paper, the Knicks have the better bench, as J.R. Smith, Steve Novak, Baron Davis and others provide great depth when the starters need a rest. The Bulls, on the other hand, will not have much to go to off the pine tonight with two starters out.

Still, the Knicks bench players have been inconsistent all year, and there's no telling what to expect from them. Thus, both teams are evenly matched here.

Edge: Even

Coach

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has more head coaching experience as a whole, but has no championship experience in the NBA. Chicago's Tom Thibodeau, however, spent over 20 years as an NBA assistant coach before landing his current job, including winning a ring with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

Sure enough, in his first year as a head coach, he led the Bulls to the NBA's best record and lost in the Conference Finals. Despite that, the edge is clear with this one.

Edge: Thibodeau

Final Thoughts

The Knicks may have an advantage in that none of their regulars are out of the game tonight, and that will surely play a role in the final result. Still, the Bulls are the NBA's best team for a reason. They constantly adapt to their situation regardless of who's playing or not, and that is why they will send the Knicks to a sixth straight defeat.

Final Prediction: Bulls win, 110-97