Bulls vs. Hawks NBA expert prediction and odds for Monday, Feb. 12 (Rare spot to back

Just one game separates the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings, and the two teams will face off in Atlanta on Monday night. 

Chicago currently holds the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference, and both teams are looking to stay in the play-in tournament picture after not making any major moves at the trade deadline. 

Dejounte Murray is off the injury report and expected to return for Atlanta tonight while the Bulls are down multiple starters in Patrick Williams.

Can Chicago cover the spread as a short road underdog? 

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Let’s examine the odds and my best bet for this matchup:  

Bulls injury report

Hawks injury report

Chicago Bulls

Ayo Dosunmu: The Bulls guard has been playing well as of late, averaging 14.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game over his last 13 matchups. Dosunmu has scored in double figures in 12 of those games. He could draw the assignment on Trae Young if Caruso (questionable) is ruled out. 

Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young: An All-Star this season for the third time in his career, Young is averaging 27.1 points and 10.8 assists per game this season, posting a double-double in seven of his last nine games. The Bulls did a good job on Young in the last meeting between these teams, holding him to just 6-of-17 shooting. 

Are the Hawks finally starting to turn things around against the spread?

Atlanta enters this game with a league-worst 17-36 record ATS this season, but the team has been great as of late, covering in six of its last seven games.

This could be another favorable spot for the Hawks, as the Bulls are just 7-11 ATS as road underdogs and failed to cover in that spot against Orlando on Saturday. 

Chicago is down a few rotation players, and I’d have some serious concern for the Bulls if their top perimeter defender (Caruso, questionable) can’t go against this lethal Atlanta guard duo of Murray and Young. 

The Bulls still have a better net rating than the Hawks in these teams’ last 10 games, but Atlanta has played some of its best basketball of the season as of late. 

I lean with the Hawks to keep their ATS streak going and cover as slight favorites at home. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.