Three Things to Watch: Bulls battle Kristaps and the Knicks

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Home sweet home! The Bulls are back at the United Center following a difficult three-game road trip and host Kristaps Porzingis and the Knicks. NBC Sports Chicago has you covered all night, beginning with Pregame Live at 6:30!

1. Back to back

The Bulls are facing a difficult task with a back-to-back against the Bucks and Knicks. They haven't played at home in a week, and they are just 1-5 on the second half of back-to-backs this season. However, the good news is that one win came at home against the Knicks back in December, as win No. 2 of their seven-game win streak. Depth will be key against a New York team that played Christmas Day (in the morning) and should be well rested despite the travel.

2. Kristaps Porzingis

Porzingis looked like an MVP candidate during the season's first month but has cooled off some since. That's not to say he isn't dangerous, and he's still one of the game's great young players. Here's why. At 7-foot-3 he's the tallest player in the NBA, and he's averaging 24.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.9 3-pointers per game. The league has never seen those types of numbers combined, and he's still just 22 years old. He was good - not great - against the Bulls earlier this month, going for 23 points on 10-for-25 shooting. But don't expect the Unicorn to have two poor games against this Bulls defense. He can and will go off at a moment's notice.

3. Kris Dunn

Through the highs and the lows he's going to be the focal point of the rebuild until Zach LaVine comes back. Dunn has had some seriously impressive stretches, and then nights like he had against the Celtics. And in a point-guard driven league he's going to face solid tests each time he steps on the floor. This time it'll come in the form of Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina. The 6-foot-5 French point guard has a 7-foot wingspan and has really proven his worth on the defensive end. He doesn't start for New York (because of course Jarrett Jack needs those minutes) but Ntilikina is averaging 21.6 minutes over his last five games. Jeff Hornacek will insert at times to slow Dunn. Another day, another good test to see how far Dunn has come. Ntilikina had 10 points, seven assists and a steal in 21 minutes back on Dec. 9.

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