The NBA regular season has concluded and the play-in games are now underway. This game features a matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls. The winner of this game will face the loser of the 7/8 play-in game between the Heat and 76ers, while the loser will be eliminated from the playoffs.
Before Betting on Hawks vs Bulls
The Bulls closed out their regular season with a well-fought overtime loss against the Knicks. They were already cemented into the Eastern Conference’s #9 seed, but competed well down the stretch nonetheless. Chicago will host Atlanta in the 9/10 game, needing a win to stay alive and earn a chance to face off against the 8/9 game loser and eventually the Celtics.
Chicago will rely on veteran DeMar DeRozan, who leads the team with 24 points per game and 5.3 assists per game, to guide an otherwise youthful roster. Meanwhile, young players like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu will be tasked with gaining postseason experience and making the most of their opportunity to compete. Chicago matches up well with Atlanta, and should score a lot of points.
The Hawks managed to claim a play-in spot, despite finishing with a 36-46 record. For context, the 10-seed in the Western Conference sits ten games above Atlanta, at 46-36. Despite that, the Hawks will attempt to make the most of this opportunity. It’s been a disappointing season, where a surprise win in the postseason could provide something to build on over the offseason.
Trae Young continues to lead the way for Atlanta on offense, averaging 25.7 points per game. Unfortunately, his defense leaves much to be desired, as does the Hawks team defense as a whole. A lot of talent exists on their roster, so they certainly can’t be counted out in this game. That being said, the Hawks face a mountainous task to get past the play-in and 1st round.
Hawks vs Bulls Offshore Odds
Both of these teams faces a mountain to climb just to get out of the play-in, starting with this matchup. Chicago will have the advantage at home, setting its sights on a potential clash with the 76ers or Heat. Atlanta has the ability to keep this one close, but their subpar defense could be the key difference in this game.
