Bulls vs. Hawks Pick
The Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls both look to get back on track when the two meet up today at 8PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Hawks are favored at home today, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Bulls. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 203.5 points. Atlanta has won five straight in this series, including a 115-107 home win back on Nov. 9. The Hawks have covered the spread in four of the five wins.
Atlanta is coming off a surprising 118-95 loss at Detroit on Wednesday. The Hawks were playing well prior to that but are now just 24-18 overall. They are just 1-3 against the spread in their last four games and are now 21-21 against the spread on the season. Atlanta is averaging 102.8 points per game on offense while giving up 103 points per game on defense. They average 105.5 points per game at home. Paul Millsap is averaging 17.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while Dennis Schroder is adding 17.3 points and 6.1 assists per contest. Dwight Howard is also adding 13.7 points and 13 rebounds per game.
The Bulls saw a two-game win streak end with a 99-98 loss at home to Dallas on Tuesday. Chicago is now 21-22 overall and 21-22 against the spread. The Bulls have covered the spread in six of their last nine games. Chicago is averaging the same total on offense and defense, giving up 101.4 points per game while scoring 101.4 points per contest this season. On the road, the Bulls are putting up just 100.2 points per contest. Jimmy Butler is averaging 24.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game to lead the team while Dwyane Wade is adding 18.8 points per contest. Taj Gibson, who is averaging 12 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, is questionable to play tonight due to an ankle injury.
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I feel like Wednesday’s performance for Atlanta was an anomaly. The Hawks have been playing good basketball for the past few weeks. Their offensive options should be able to deal with Chicago, especially if Gibson is out. The Bulls just don’t have the same scoring options outside Butler and Wade.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: ATLANTA HAWKS -5.5