Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction, Preview, and Odds
NBA action continues in the Eastern Conference with a matchup between the Atlanta Hawks (12-17, 7-22 ATS) and the Chicago Bulls (13-18, 15-15-1 ATS) on the day after Christmas. The Hawks are currently 11th in the conference, right behind the Bulls who sit in 10th. Atlanta lost their last game at home to the Grizzlies 125-119, going down as 1.5-point favorites. The Bulls are also coming off a loss, going down 109-95 at home to the Cavaliers as 6.5-point favorites. This is the first of three games between these teams this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 EST from the United Center in Chicago.
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Out Of The Playoffs
The Atlanta Hawks are not in a rebuilding year. They still have their star player in Trae Young, and recently traded for Dejounte Murray with the plan of contending in the East. If the season ended today, the Hawks would be out of the playoffs. They sit in 11th, and need to start winning more games if they want a shot at postseason play. They care currently on a two game losing streak, with a loss in Miami, and a home loss to the Grizzlies. Against Memphis, Trae Young had 30 points and 13 assists in the loss.
Trae Young is 7th in the NBA in scoring with 28.3 PPG, and is second in the league in assists with 11.2 per game. Young is one of only two players in the league averaging double-digit assists with Tyrese Haliburton. Young has been heating up from deep, he has made three of more triples in each of the seven games, including three games where he made seven from deep. Dejounte Murray is a solid number two option, he is averaging 20.3 PPG to go with 5.4 APG and a team leading 1.6 steals per game. Murray has scored 20 or more in his last five, including a 26-point game against Memphis. Bogdan Bogdanovic is the top scorer off the bench with 17.8 PPG, and De'Andre Hunter starts at small forward adding 14.9 PPG as a two-way player.
The Hawks have been rotating their starting lineup. Clint Capela typically starts inside and averages a double double with 12.0 PPG and 10.7 RPG. Saddiq Bey averages 12.9 PPG and started in the last game. Garrison Matthews stepped into the starting lineup last time out, but that was just to fill a spot vacated by Hunter with a knee injury. Atlanta ranks 4th in the league in offensive efficiency, but only 27th in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. The Hawks play at the 5th fastest tempo in the NBA.
Injury Report:
Questionable: De'Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, AJ Griffin
Bulls in Homestand
The Chicago Bulls continue to fight this season, and have found some success recently. They are currently in the midst of a six game homestand, and are trying to take advantage while picking up some wins. They started off with wins over the Lakers and Spurs, before dropping a game to the Cavaliers. The Bulls have won four of their last six, and are fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament. In their most recent game against Cleveland, DeMar DeRozan led the team with 21 points and eight assists.
The Bulls are led in scoring by DeRozan at 22.3 PPG and also leads the team with 5.4 APG. He has scored 20 or more in his last three games, including a 27-point game in the win over the Lakers. Zach LaVine is right behind DeRozan in scoring with 21.0 PPG, but will miss this game with a foot injury. That leave Coby White as the second leading scorer, he is averaging a career his in points with 17.6 PPG and is the top shooter on the team with 3.0 made triples per game on 40.9% shooting from deep. Nikola Vucevic is a steady contributor inside, he adds 16.7 PPG to go with 10.4 RPG. Patrick Williams is the last double-digit scorer, he adds 10.1 PPG ad a stretch-four.
Alex Caruso has stepped into the starting lineup in LaVine's absence, he adds 9.6 PPG. Ayo Dosunmu and Andre Drummond play the majority of the remaining bench minutes. The Bulls rank 23rd in the league in offensive efficiency and 18th in defensive efficiency. Chicago plays at the slowest tempo in the league.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Chicago Bulls are only getting one point at home as underdogs, so there is more value to take the moneyline. Atlanta is the worse team against the spread in the league, they have only covered seven of their 22 games, even the Pistons have covered in nine games. Atlanta has not been meeting expectations, they are on a streak of covering only two of their last 14 games. Chicago has been able to find wins in their current homestand, including a win over the Lakers in which Lebron and Anthony Davis both playing. Both teams are fighting injures as of late, but the Hawks have been forced to start Garrison Matthews, while the Bulls have a much better replacement in Alex Caruso. The Bulls have covered five of their last six games, and are playing better basketball as of late. Coby White has gotten into a rhythm, and can matchup with Young on the perimeter. Trae simply does not have enough help surrounding him, while DeRozan has been able to make it work with White, Vucevic and company. The Bulls are resting comfortably at home during their homestand, and will grab another win here.
Take the Bulls to win.
Prediction: Bulls Moneyline
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
This number is too high for the slowest team in the league playing at home. Chicago has gone under in three of their last four games, and their player most likely to get out in transition, Zach LaVine, is out for this game. They will play slow, utilizing DeRozan and Vucevic in half court sets, and will also want to slow down this Atlanta attack that wants to get out in transition. Chicago is solid on defense, their defensive possessions rank as the 27th longest in the league, they rarely gamble and make teams work for their possessions. Atlanta has scored under 120 in their last two games, and are truly missing an interior scorer to pair with Young. The Hawks are too reliant on perimeter scoring, and Chicago has the length and defenders outside to challenge their shots. The Bulls are playing better right now and will be able to control the tempo and play at a pace that suits their game.
Take the under.
Prediction: Under 236.5
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