BULLS: (-4, O/U 180) Chicago has been amazing this season, as they have had a wildly successful season featuring arguably the future Coach of the Year and the League MVP. The Bulls are currently tied with Boston for top billing in the Eastern Conference. Chicago is 49-19 SU and 42-24-2 ATS overall this season. The Bulls are 19-15 SU and 20-14 ATS in road meetings this year. Chicago is considered a top team in the NBA right now because of their ability to play their best basketball against great teams. The Bulls are 19-8 ATS this season against teams with a winning record. PG Derrick Rose has been amazing this season, as he's averaging Chicago highs of 24.9 PPG and 7.8 APG. C Joakim Noah is averaging a double double this year, 12.4 PPG and 11.3 RPG. The Bulls have played stellar defense all year long, as they are allowing just 91.2 PPG, 2nd fewest in the NBA. The Bulls are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 Tuesday games. Chicago is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as the listed favorite. The Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record. Chicago is 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
Bulls are 13-3 ATS last 16 games against the Eastern Conference. Under is 14-6 last 20 games as a road favorite up to 4.5 points.
Injuries: F Carlos Boozer (ankle) is probable.
HAWKS: Despite sitting in 5th place in the Eastern Conference, the mood surrounding the Atlanta organization is far from pleasant. Atlanta is incredibly talented, yet they have a hard time putting everything together as a team. The Hawks have had some dismal showings of late, and they are running out of time as the playoffs are in the not so distant future. Atlanta is 40-30 SU and 31-39 ATS overall this season. The Hawks are 21-14 SU and 13-22 ATS at home this year. Atlanta is 13-13 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 1-2 ATS as a home underdog between 3.5 and 6 points. The Hawks are 4 games ahead of 6th place in the Eastern Conference, as well as 4 games behind 4th place. The Hawks are averaging just 95.4 PPG this year, 6th fewest in the NBA. G Joe Johnson leads the Hawks in scoring and assists this season, as he's averaging 18.8 PPG and 5 APG. C Al Horford is averaging 15.7 PPG and a team high 9.6 RPG this year. The Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against the Central Division. Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. The Hawks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Hawks are 1-5 ATS last 6 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. Under is 9-2 last 11 games as a home underdog.
Related reading: Game preview [Atlanta Journal Constitution]
Projected Score: Bulls 89, Hawks 84