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Bulls vs Hawks November 22nd 2024
At 8:00 ET, the 6th-ranked Hawks (-123) will visit the 12th-ranked Bulls (+103) in a Southeast vs. Central showdown. The over/under line is set at 244.5.
This Eastern Conference matchup will be played at the United Center in Chicago and can be seen on CHSN.
Hawks vs. Bulls Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
- Where: Chicago at United Center
- Date: Friday, November 22nd
- Betting Odds ATL -1.5, ATL -123 | CHI +103 O/U 244.5
The Hawks Can Win If…
The Hawks fell to 7-9 on the season after a 120-97 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday. Atlanta, who entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 217 points fell short of the 239.5-point over/under line.
A 17-0 run by the Warriors early on put the Hawks in a tough spot, as they trailed 41-22 after the 1st quarter. Although Atlanta outscored Golden State 33-23 in the 3rd quarter, they couldn’t close the gap, entering the 4th quarter down 90-75 and were outscored 30-22 in the final period.
In their 120-97 loss to the Warriors, the Hawks struggled offensively, shooting just 33.3% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range, hitting 12 threes overall. Jalen Johnson led the way with 15 points and 14 rebounds, connecting on 3 threes at a 60% rate.
Trae Young and Zaccharie Risacher each added 12 points, with Young also dishing out 11 assists. Risacher scored 5 of his points in the 4th quarter, while Young contributed 7 points in the 3rd.
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The Hawks gave up 41 points in the 1st quarter, setting the tone for a tough defensive night in their 120-97 loss to the Warriors. They tightened up in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, allowing 26 and 23 points, respectively, but couldn’t contain Golden State in the 4th, giving up 30 points.
Overall, Atlanta allowed the Warriors to shoot 46% from the field and 35% from three, with Golden State hitting 14 threes. The Hawks sent the Warriors to the line 18 times, where they made 12 free throws. Defensively, the Hawks recorded 9 steals and 5 blocks.
- Across their last five road contests, Atlanta has a 3-2 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 2-3, while averaging 110 points per game.
- As the betting favorite, the Hawks have an ATS mark of just 1-2 in their last three games. Atlanta posted a straight up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.
- Over their last three games, the Hawks have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Bulls Can Win If…
Chicago’s season record fell to 6-10 after a 122-106 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday. The Bulls entered the game as +8.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 228, falling short of the 239-point line.
A 16-0 run by the Bucks early in the game put the Bulls in a deep hole. Chicago battled back, winning the 3rd quarter 33-29, but they couldn’t keep the momentum going, as they were outscored 24-16 in the 4th quarter.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 27 points and 6 assists in their 122-106 loss to the Bucks, shooting 60% from the field and hitting 4 threes at a 57.1% clip. Torrey Craig added 15 points, also shooting 60% and knocking down 3 threes.
Chicago made 17 threes as a team, shooting 37.8% from deep and 46.6% overall. LaVine scored 12 points in the 2nd quarter, while Craig added 8 of his 15 points in the 3rd.
Defensively, the Bulls struggled early, giving up 69 points in the first half, including 36 in the 1st quarter, as the Bucks shot 55% from the field. Chicago tightened up in the 4th, allowing 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
From beyond the arc, the Bulls allowed Milwaukee to hit 13 threes at a 36% clip. Chicago sent the Bucks to the line 31 times, where they converted 21 free throws. The Bulls finished with 28 defensive rebounds, gave up 10 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals.
- Although Chicago has a straight up record of 5-5 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 118 points per game in these games.
- Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Bulls have a straight up record of 2-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
- In their last five games, the Bulls have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.
The Lean
Our bet is on the Hawks for a win, and we project the score to be 141-117. Additionally, we expect them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to wager on the Hawks with the spread at -1.5.
Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 244.5, and our model predicts the Hawks and Bulls to score a combined 258 points. We recommend betting on the over.
Bulls Look for Inspiration to Snap Slump Against Inconsistent Hawks
Chicago forward Torrey Craig took a literal and figurative hit in the Bulls’ 122-106 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Crashing into a courtside camera while chasing a rebound, Craig came away bruised but undeterred, embodying the scrappy energy the slumping Bulls desperately need.
“I got a little blood on my elbow, a little blood on my nose. My ankle,” Craig said. “I like games like that.”
As injuries continue to test the Bulls, Craig has stepped into the starting lineup with a chance to spark the team. Chicago has lost eight of its past 11 games, and they’ll need a jolt when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Craig Making His Presence Felt
Craig, starting in place of Patrick Williams (left foot inflammation), tallied 15 points and six rebounds against Milwaukee, tying Nikola Vucevic for the team lead on the glass. Williams is expected to miss at least a week, giving Craig more opportunities to make an impact.
“It’s no secret; you’ve just got to want the ball,” Craig said. “I’m a competitor. The ball’s up, I try to compete for it.”
Craig missed Chicago’s Nov. 9 win at Atlanta due to illness, a game where the Bulls triumphed 125-113. That night, Vucevic logged an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Ayo Dosunmu led the team with 19 points.
LaVine Leading the Charge
Against the Bucks, Zach LaVine poured in 27 points, including 20 before halftime. Shooting 9 of 15 from the field and 4 of 7 from beyond the arc, LaVine’s offensive production kept Chicago in the game until Milwaukee’s decisive 18-4 closing run.
“I’ve seen his shot-making; it’s been incredible,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “He has the ability to get on a roll.”
LaVine’s recent history against the Hawks is promising. Over his past 10 games against Atlanta, he’s averaged 25.4 points on 53.6 percent shooting.
Hawks Seeking Consistency
The Hawks, meanwhile, are looking to stabilize their own play. They’ve alternated wins and losses during their current road trip, most recently suffering a 120-97 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Atlanta shot just 33.3 percent from the field and struggled from deep, hitting only 26.7 percent (12 of 45) of their 3-point attempts.
“I didn’t think that we talked enough tonight,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “Sometimes that happens when you’re not making shots and it’s actually when you need each other even more.”
Atlanta had its full rotation available against Golden State. Jalen Johnson, returning from a one-game absence due to left leg inflammation, posted a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Trae Young added 12 points and 11 assists, while Clint Capela chipped in 11 points and 10 boards.
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NBA Cup Implications
Friday’s matchup also serves as an NBA Cup East Group C showdown. The Hawks are 2-0 in group play with wins over Boston and Washington, while the Bulls lost their lone group contest to Cleveland. Chicago will need a strong showing to stay in contention for the knockout rounds.
The Bulls have won six of their past 10 meetings with the Hawks, and they’ll look to improve their record while drawing inspiration from Craig’s toughness and LaVine’s scoring touch.
