Hawks visit Bulls With Trade Rumors in the Air
Wednesday in the NBA features a showdown between two Eastern Conference teams that have not had the results thus far they have been looking for when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Chicago Bulls. The current line has Atlanta favored by 2.5 points with the over/under total sitting on 203.
Atlanta entering this game has an overall record on the season of 30-24 straight up and 26-27 against the spread. The Hawks on the road are 13-15 SU and 12-15 ATS.
Chicago on the season has an overall record of 27-24 SU and 19-32 ATS. At home, the Bulls are 16-9 SU and 9-16 ATS.
Atlanta reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but as the trade deadline of February 18 nears, the Hawks could be looking to off load some of the stars from that team. After two straight losses, rumors surfaced that starters Kyle Korver, Al Horford and Jeff Teague all could be traded.
Chicago at this point in the season does not look to be a contender for the postseason. Chicago returns from a 2-5 road trip that ended with a 108-91 loss at Charlotte Monday. Derrick Rose was scratched for Monday’s game due to soreness. Jimmy Butler is out for at least three more weeks with a knee strain.
Atlanta was ranked No. 7 following Monday’s loss in points allowed each game at 99.8. However, in the second half and overtime of that loss, the Hawks gave up 76 points.
Teague has scored 20 points or more in four of his last seven games. Horford scored 27 points in the loss to lead the Hawks.
Chicago is still a mess when it comes to injuries. Nikola Mirotic did not go on the road trip after his appendix was removed.
The biggest bright spot for Chicago is the play of Pau Gasol. The veteran has 29 double-doubles this season. On Monday, he scored 22 points while grabbing 10 rebounds.
The Bulls miss the offense of Butler who is the team’s leading scorer and the defense and rebounding of Yoakim Noah who is out for the season with an injury.
The UNDER has cashed in 8 of the past 9 games between the two teams played in Chicago.
Prediction: Atlanta has more scoring power than does Chicago and too many Chicago players are sidelined with injury. Lean toward the Hawks in this one as the Bulls generally do not have that much of an advantage playing at home.
