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The NBA season continues with games on Monday. The Chicago Bulls will hit the road and take on the Atlanta Hawks. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Bulls-Hawks prediction and pick.
These two teams have had different starts to the season. The Chicago Bulls are 20-10 and have won their last three games. While the Atlanta Hawks are only 15-17 and are coming off a disappointing loss. This should be an interesting match up.
Here are the odds for the Bulls-Hawks Monday night NBA matchup, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Bulls-Hawks Odds
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Chicago Bulls: -6 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks: +6 (-110)
Over: 209 (-110)
Under: 209 (-110)
Why The Bulls Could Cover The Spread
The Chicago Bulls have been having a very solid season. Through their first 30 games they have managed to win 20 and lose only 10. While COVID has seemingly taken over the league, the Chicago Bulls have managed to keep their main players healthy and win their last three games. Their most recent win came against the Indiana Pacers by 8. The Atlanta Hawks are particularly vulnerable right now and Chicago should be able to take advantage of that. If the Bulls can repeat their performance against the Pacers and stay healthy, then they should have no problem taking down Atlanta.
Few statistics were especially noteworthy in Chicago's win over Indiana. The Bulls had the edge across all scoring metrics. What stands out as particularly impressive is this Bulls team's efficiency. They took 18 less shots than the Pacers yet made 2 more. Chicago also shot nearly 50% from beyond the arc. This type of scoring efficiency is tough to keep pace with. Even though the Pacers managed to out rebound and out assist the Bulls, their lack of scoring resulted in a Chicago win. If the Bulls can maintain this efficiency then they should be able to extend their win streak to four.
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COVID is currently running loose throughout the NBA. Every single team has been effected, but to varying degrees. The Bulls have only two players in the league's health and safety protocols, Lonzo Ball and Tony Bradley. They have a few other players out due to injury, notably Alex Caruso and Derrick Jones (who is questionable for this contest). However, the Bulls have managed to keep their core roster healthy, and this will prove to be a huge advantage in this game. With both Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan playing on Monday, it is tough to see how Chicago can lose.
Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread
The Atlanta Hawks have been struggling this season. Through their first 32 games they have a losing record with only 15 wins and 17 losses. In their most recent game they were dominated by the New York Knicks, losing by 14. The Hawks have been hit very hard by COVID and have a built in excuse for all of their losses. However, this Atlanta team has shown heart in some recent games and will likely come ready to play on Monday. In order for Atlanta to win they need to improve on their previous game and come into Monday ready to pull off a tough upset.
The biggest reason that the Hawks came up short against the Knicks was lack of scoring efficiency. Atlanta and New York were close across all metrics besides scoring. Most notably, the Hawks shot less than 38% from the field. Regardless of how a team performs in other categories, games can't be won when a team shoots only 38% from the field. Even more concerning, however, was the fact that they only made 57% of their free throw attempts. Free throws can be crucial and Atlanta's failure to convert from the stripe is problematic. While they will be without some of their best offensive players, the Hawks bench needs to step up and start making some shots.
The Hawks have been devastated by COVID. Atlanta currently has ten players in the league's health and safety protocols. Most notably, Trae Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter are all out for Monday's contest. These losses will likely cripple the Hawks. No one will blame them for coming up short against a much healthier Bulls team. While it's not impossible for Atlanta to pull off this upset, a Chicago Bulls victory seems imminent.
Final Bulls-Hawks Prediction & Pick
This is a very easy decision. Even if both teams were completely healthy the Chicago Bulls would have the edge. With COVID in play and the Hawks missing their most important starters, the Bulls are the clear pick. It is surprising that the line isn't wider considering that the Hawks just lost by 14 to the Knicks with John Collins. Regardless, pick the Bulls to win and cover.
FINAL BULLS-HAWKS PICK: Chicago Bulls -6 (-110)
FINAL BULLS-HAWKS SCORE PREDICTION: Bulls 115 – Hawks 92
