Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/24/2022

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: NBC Sports Chicago, Bally Sports SE-ATL

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Hawks: 28-30

Bulls: 38-21

Normally I would pencil this in as an Eastern Conference finals matchup later on in the season, but the Atlanta Hawks not being able to figure out how to capitalize off such a strong playoff run last year has really gotten me to the point where I just don't understand what this team is trying to do.

But it's not like the Hawks are just completely horrible. There's enough talent on that roster to make things interesting late in the season. Unfortunately, though, that talent has also come with a sign of inconsistency. And when really all you have is Trae Young, the other help around him needs to play a whole lot better.

Young, who is averaging 27.8 points per game this season, had only 22 points on five of 13 shooting to lead Atlanta the victory. Bogdan Bogdanovic had a team-high 23 points off the bench to help lead Atlanta to a victory. Seven players in total scored in double figures in the victory against Orlando.

this isn't to say that the Hawks are a horrible team. I mean, it wasn't that long ago when they were in the Eastern Conference finals. There is a trajectory and a path laid out for the Hawks to eventually become consistent contenders at some point in this lifetime.

But if the season were to end today, the Hawks would be in the play-in tournament as the 10th seed. That is not something that this team should strive for, but if you look at the field of the playing teams if it were to end today, there is the likelihood that the Hawks would be the most dangerous team without that bunch. Are we really trying to believe in Toronto, Brooklyn, or Charlotte? Likely not. But there were 24 games left in the regular season and a lot can change within that time.

Now comes the fun part for the Chicago Bulls. The All-Star break is over, the honeymoon phase is well in the rearview mirror. It's time to see what the bulls can do in a stretch of games that matters.

The bulls come into this game as, unofficially, the second seed in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Miami Heat. Chicago closed its first half of the season on a 5 game winning streak and continues to be possibly the most impressive team out of any group that built in free agency last year.

And there is also the fact that DeMar DeRozan is a leading MVP candidate Averaging 28.1 points per game and five assists. Just when you thought you finally saw the best version of DeRozan, Clearly we haven't seen everything yet. He scored 38 points in Chicago's last game before the All-Star break, a 115-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings despite De’Aaron Fox going off for 33 points.

The bulls will still have to navigate through rough waters without Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, two great options in the backcourt defense. For as long as those two are out, there could be games that end with 120 points each on some nights. That’s just the way the reality looks now. 

But between DeRozan and Zach LaVine, that is enough talent to get the bulls by especially when they're trying to lock down and a playoff spot. Mix in a lot of the youth, and a lot of the long, athletic talent they have across the lineup, and you can see why the bulls are such a heavily coveted team heading down the stretch.

Chicago has been a great team against the spread as of late. The bulls have covered their last four when holding their opponent to 100 points or fewer, and they've covered five of their last six overall. Meanwhile, Atlanta has failed to cover in six of its last seven road games facing teams with a winning record at home. In short, the Hawks do not do well when they have to leave Phillips arena to go get that taken care of. The under has gone 14 and six in the last 20 meetings in Chicago, and I don't expect anything different from that group. Bulls by 20

The Hawks are 29-51 ATS in road games where the total is greater than or equal to 220.

The Hawks are 2-8 ATS off a road win this season.

The Bulls are 29-14 ATS as a favorite between 3.5 and 9.5 points.

The Bulls are 18-4 ATS off a non-conference game this season.

PG: Trae Young

SG: Kevin Huerter

SF: De'Andre Hunter

PF: Danilo Gallinari

C: Clint Capela

PG: Ayo Dosunmu

SG: Zach LaVine

SF: Javonte Green

PF: DeMar DeRozan

C: Nikola Vucevic

Hawks: John Collins (foot, doubtful)

Bulls: Lonzo Ball (knee, out), Alex Caruso (wrist, out)

Points: Trae Young -- 27.8

Rebounds: Clint Capela -- 12.1

Assists: Trae Young -- 9.3

Points: DeMar DeRozan -- 28.1

Rebounds: Nikola Vucevic -- 11.7

Assists: DeMar DeRozan -- 5.1