Hawks vs Bulls Betting Preview: Huge Game For Play-In Battle
Atlanta Is Charging Hard
With the 2023-24 NBA season winding down in the next two weeks, the NBA playoff races are taking full shape and teams chasing those above them need to make a final push.
That is certainly the case for the Atlanta Hawks, who are currently the No. 10 seed in the East but are just 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the No. 9 seed and a home Play-In Round game. Atlanta has a great chance to cover some more ground tonight as the Hawks visit the Bulls.
From a Hawks vs Bulls betting perspective, Chicago is favored by 2.5 points but this should be a evenly matched game between motivated teams.
Atlanta has a comfortable cushion over No. 11 Brooklyn, so the Hawks are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the play-in. However, having a home game against Chicago—also mostly locked in either the No. 9 or No. 10 spot—would be big for Quin Snyder’s team because they’re much better at home than on the road.
The Bulls have already clinched the season series, so a win tonight would be massive for Atlanta. It would cut the deficit to half a game and potentially shake up the NBA playoff schedule.
The Hawks had won four games in a row until losing to the Bucks on Saturday, while the Bulls are coming off a great road win against the Timberwolves on Sunday. Even though the trip down from Minneapolis to Chicago is a short one, the Bulls will be at a rest disadvantage.
That may give Atlanta an opportunity to steal a game and give bettors an opportunity to get some nice plus-money value.
Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls 
Day/Time:
Location:United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Streaming: NBA League Pass
Three-Pointers Are Key For Bulls
A big reason why the Bulls were able to take down the Timberwolves was because Chicago got hot from three, going 17-for-29 on triples. Alex Caruso even hit a career-high seven threes.
The Bulls are a pretty pedestrian three-point shooting team overall (20th in efficiency at 36% and 25th in makes) because, without Zach LaVine, their offense is mostly predicated on getting to the rim, as led by DeMar DeRozan.
So, when they do get outside help from Caruso and Coby White, it makes a world of difference.
The Hawks vs. Bulls betting lines seem to think Chicago will be able to shine from three against Atlanta, which, based on how bad the Hawks are at perimeter defense—they allow opposing teams to shoot over 38% from long-distance, fifth-worst in the NBA—isn’t a bad prediction.
It won’t be easy to replicate the 59% three-point barrage the Bulls foisted on the Timberwolves, though. Caruso is a much-improved shooter this season yet, on the second half of a back-to-back, it would be a stretch to expect a similar level of production tonight.
This is a prime spot for a little shooting regression for what will be a tired Bulls team against a fresh Hawks squad. Consider factoring that in if you’re looking to prognosticate some NBA scores.
Which Hawks Team Will Show Up?
Last week was an impressive one for Atlanta which, in addition to taking care of business against the lowly Hornets and Trail Blazers, beat the Celtics twice — once after coming back from a 30-point deficit and once on a Dejounte Murray overtime game-winner.
The Hawks have shown that they can beat elite teams only to follow those performances up with losses to non-playoff opponents, like losing back-to-back games to the Nets earlier in March.
Atlanta has acquitted itself surprisingly well given Trae Young’s prolonged absence and the rash of other injuries the Hawks have dealt with, so it’s tough to gauge how this team will play on a nightly basis — and who will be on the court.
They’ve managed to tread water due to Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic stepping up when needed to shoulder the scoring burden because Atlanta can’t, and doesn’t, win games on the defensive end. The Hawks vs Bulls betting lines certainly take that into account.
Pace Could Decide Game
For the Hawks to win tonight, they’ll want to keep this game played at a fast pace with lots of shots, lots of fastbreak opportunities, and lots of chances for offensive rebounds. Atlanta plays at the sixth-fastest pace based on the NBA rankings, while Chicago is just 29th.
The Hawks want to take as many shots as possible — they’ve attempted the most field goals in the league — and hope that Clint Capela and Co. can scoop it up for a second or third chance at a basket.
The Bulls want things played out in the halfcourt, where they can have DeRozan run isolations or feed Nikola Vucevic in the post, where he’s an above-average passer. Chicago isn’t built to play fast or outscore teams; the Bulls are best when the game is a grind.
They can win more up-tempo games when they shoot from three as well as they did against Minnesota, but that is the exception, not the norm.
Look for Atlanta to benefit from the rest advantage and tempo disparity. They’re a nice pick either as a 2.5-point underdog on the spread or as a +115 underdog on the moneyline.
The over/under is a pretty high 223 points but the Hawks have the second-highest over hit rate in the NBA so take the over too.
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