The Atlanta Hawks host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night! It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Bulls-Hawks prediction and pick.
The Bulls are coming off two straight losses to the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat. They have had a few days off now as they are set to take on the Hawks in Atlanta. This should be a favorable matchup for them as they inch closer back to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Chicago is (39-23) on the season which sits them comfortably in second.
The Atlanta Hawks are coming off a bad loss to the Boston Celtics Tuesday night. Atlanta led most of the game and even without Jaylen brown for the Celtics, the C's came back and held the Hawks to just 33 second-half points. Atlanta fell to (29-32) on the season which places them 10th in the East.
Here are the Bulls-Hawks NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Bulls-Hawks Odds
Chicago Bulls: -1 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks: +1 (-110)
Over: 232.5 (-110)
Under: 232.5 (-110)
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Why The Bulls Could Cover The Spread
The Bulls are coming into this game as healthy as they can be right now. That is a great sign considering they have been dealing with the injury bug all season long. Despite all that, this is still one of the top teams in the NBA and they have the firepower to make a run for the NBA Finals. DeMar DeRozan is leading this team to new heights and his 28.2 points per game is 4th in the NAB behind LeBron James (28.9), Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.3), and Joel Embiid (29.8). Trae Young is fifth at 27.9 so this matchup will feature two of the best scoring threats in the NBA.
The Bulls will need to contain Young as he is what keeps the Hawks in games right now. He is currently listed as day-to-day because he injured his ankle against the Celtics. He left the game but returned and finished. There is a chance he doesn't play tonight and if that is the case, then the Bulls will cover this spread with ease. The Bulls are (36-25-1) against the spread this season.
Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread
Atalanta needs Young to play if they want any chance at covering. His ankle is probably sore and so there is a chance he takes tonight off. The Hawks have yet to come out with an update as he is still questionable. Lou Williams is upgraded to probable so that is a good sign for the Hawks. John Collins is doubtful and Onyeka Okongwu is out for tonight. The Hawks will be short-handed which gives the Bulls a favorable chance. The Hawks desperately need to see improvement from Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari is only averaging 10 points per game this season which is five points lower than his career average. He was a huge part of their success last season but this year isn't doing much at all. He alongside Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Andre Hunter need to be step up and take some of the pressure off of Young.
The Hawks will have no chance if they don't contain DeRozan and Zach Lavine. Coby White is finding his mark as he fills in for Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic continues to be one of the best offensive centers in the game. With the Bulls healthy for the most part, I like their chances tonight. The Hawks are just (27-34) ATS this season.
Final Bulls-Hawks Prediction & Pick
I like the Bulls here. I think Young will play tonight but it won't be enough to cover this 1-point spread.
Final Bulls-Hawks Pick: Bulls -1 (-110)
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