Hawks vs. Bulls NBA Preview and Best Bet (Archive)
The NBA returns from its week-long All-Star break. The home stretch of the season is here, and teams are fighting for playoff position.
Two teams in the hunt will be facing off tonight when the Atlanta Hawks travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls. In an old-time Eastern Conference rivalry, which team is the right NBA pick?
Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls
Thursday, February 24, 2022 – 08:00 PM EST at United Center
Atlanta Hawks
At 28-30 and in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, it is safe to say that the Atlanta Hawks are disappointed in the results so far this season. The Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals last season and spent the offseason talking about their plans to improve.
Yet the team has regressed and right now would be in the Play-In tournament. Can the Hawks turn it around and get hot to end the season? They definitely have a talented roster and if they start playing well they could still make noise in the playoffs. But that turnaround will need to begin tonight when they face the Chicago Bulls.
Atlanta had two solid wins to go into the All-Star break. They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at home 124-116 and then traveled to Orlando and won 130–109. The Hawks will be looking to continue that success as they make a push to move up the standings and avoid being on the road for the Play-In tournament.
The Hawks were rather quiet at the trade deadline jettisoning small forward Cam Reddish to the Knicks for a draft pick. Many thought that the Hawks would use that pick to try to acquire another big player, but they instead decided to stand pat. Even though the Hawks did not make a move, they have a deep talented roster that could still make some noise this season.
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Atlanta has struggled with injuries earlier this year, but John Collins is the only player on the injury report tonight. Collins will be a game-time decision with an injured foot. The Hawks are led by Trae Young, who is averaging 28 points and 9 assists this year. Young is an All-Star player who leads the team, especially with his ability to create a shot in the half-court setting.
While the team's overall performance has been disappointing this year the Hawks are definitely encouraged by the development of second-year player Onyeka Okongwu. In just 21 minutes per game, Okongwu has averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in the last 20 games.
Okongwu has shown his potential to be a real game-changer in the NBA, and he gives Hawks coach Nate McMillan an excellent option when he decides to go big in his rotations.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are an inspiring turnaround story. The Chicago Bulls failed to make the playoffs last season, but are currently second in the Eastern Conference at 38-21.
Chicago went all-in last year trading for Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline last season and then adding DeMar DeRozan in the offseason. Both players have added to Chicago's offensive punch and the team has gelled around their new leaders.
The Chicago Bulls were represented in the All-Star Game by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. LaVine's development has continued under the tutelage of the veteran DeRozan, and he is having an excellent season. LaVine is averaging 25 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds per game.
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LaVine is an excellent shot-creator in the half-court and the Bulls can rely on him late in games to get a quality look.
The Bulls also added Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso during the offseason to shore up their defense. Unfortunately for the Bulls, both players will be out until mid-March. The Bulls will also be hoping for the return of second-year defensive stalwart Patrick Williams around the same time.
When these Bulls return these three players, they will move from being a one-way offensive juggernaut to a balanced team that can perform on the offensive and defensive ends.
Key Matchup
Clint Capela vs. Nikola Vucevic
Although this game will feature some of the most exciting perimeter players in the world and plenty of highlights for ESPN, this game could come down to the big men in the middle.
The Hawks center Clint Capela is an excellent defensive player and should give Nikola Vucevic plenty of problems. Vucevic is a skilled offensive player however and can score against even the best defenders.
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Capela will also be looking to take advantage of Vucevic's defensive inadequacies and should be more involved in the offense than on a usual night.
If Capela is able to shut down Vucevic and score some points of his own, the Atlanta Hawks will get the victory. If Vucevic is able to have a big night even against Capela's excellent defensive pressure, we can expect the Bulls to win.
Best Bet
I like the Chicago Bulls to get it done with the current NBA odds. The Bulls are a more balanced team right now and they have more direction in how they want the game to go. The Atlanta Hawks can be over-reliant on Trae Young and sometimes struggle when their secondary pieces go cold.
Vucevic should have a big night against the stellar defense of Capela. Although the Hawks can get hot and blow teams out of the gym, the Bulls will have all the answers in what should be a high-scoring shootout. I like the over in this game as well, but the best bet in this game is to take the Chicago Bulls -3.
NBA Pick: Bulls -3 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.