The Atlanta Hawks visit the United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Monday, Mar. 28 and will air on NBA, CSC and FxS.
The Bulls are expecting a different result after their 111-89 loss to the Magic on Saturday. Taj Gibson was the team’s high scorer, contributing 16 points. The Hawks, meanwhile, are coming off a 112-95 win against the Pistons on Saturday. Paul Millsap led the game in scoring with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
The Bulls might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they face off against one of the league’s best defenses. The Hawks rank second in the NBA in defensive efficiency, while Chicago ranks 26th in offensive efficiency. Furthermore, the defense of the Hawks should have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They’re third in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 48.0%), while the offense of the Bulls ranks 27th in effective field goal percentage (48.4%).
The Hawks have won all three matchups against the Bulls this season, including a 103-88 win the last time these two teams met. Jeff Teague had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 19 points, three rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two three-pointers.
The Bulls have gone 36-36 Straight Up (SU) and 29-43 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 7-3 ATS. The rebounding edge goes to the Bulls in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the league with an average of 46.6 boards per game.
In the other locker room, the Hawks head into the game with records of 39-33-2 ATS and 44-30 SU. In Eastern Conference games, Atlanta has gone 44-30 SU and 39-33-2 ATS. The Hawks are an unselfish team with an average of 25.7 assists per game, ranking second in the NBA. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Hawks on the defensive end. They allowed 107.2 points per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 98.9. Teams seem to consistently miss shots against the Hawks, who are the top team in the league in terms of opponent field goal percentage allowed at .433. Teams with weak ball handling have not fared well against the Hawks, who rank third in the league with 9.2 steals per game. Atlanta is the best team in the league at scoring points off turnovers with 18.9 per game.
In their previous meeting this season, Atlanta beat Chicago, taking the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the past 10 meetings. The teams also have an even record ATS in the last 10.
Predictions: SU Winner – Atl
Notes
On average, Atlanta scores 103.0 points per game (ranked 13th). Chicago ranks 16th in points allowed per game with 103.2.
Atlanta scores an average of 102.6 points per away game (ranked ninth). Chicago ranks 11th in points allowed per home game with 100.1.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Chicago Bulls are a stellar 22-3. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Atlanta Hawks have a poor record of 8-22.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Bulls are just 14-33 this season. Atlanta is an outstanding 36-8 when it hits the century mark.
The Hawks have a defensive rating of 99.6 (ranked second), while the Bulls have an offensive rating of 102.0 (ranked 26th).
The Chicago Bulls average 99.5 possessions per game and 1.020 points per possession, while the Atlanta Hawks earn fewer possessions (99.1) but more points per possession (1.039).
Atlanta has an average effective field goal percentage of 51.9% (ranked sixth in the league}. Chicago is a subpar 1-17 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Atlanta ranks near the top of the league in assists at second (25.7 assists per game). Chicago is ranked 11th, with 22.7 assists per game.
Chicago makes an average of 5.6 blocks per game (ranked eighth). Atlanta ranks higher in blocks with 5.7 (ranked seventh).
Chicago is ranked eighth in offensive rebounding. Atlanta ranks 15th in defensive rebounds.
Atlanta averages 9.2 steals per game (ranked third). Chicago is 12-15 when allowing at least 9 steals.
