Hawks vs Bulls: Game Preview, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups

Atlanta travels to Chicago looking to snap its two-game losing streak

After two days off, the Hawks are back in action tonight on the road against the Chicago Bulls. This is the first matchup of the year between these two teams and while it may not seem like it, this could be a matchup of importance. Chicago and Atlanta are both near the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff race right now and these games could determine who sneaks in. 

Injuries are going to be a huge part of this game tonight. Hawks point guard Trae Young is listed on the injury report and is questionable with a right AC shoulder sprain. Forward Jalen Johnson could be returning for his first game in a month tonight but is still listed as questionable. 

For the Bulls, they are going to be without Zach LaVine and could be without center Nikola Vucevic. The team has a better record with LaVine out, but Vucevic out would be a big deal. Keep an eye on the injury report for more on this matchup. 

So who will win tonight's game? Let's preview it and make a prediction. 

Game Preview

DeMar DeRozan being guarded by Clint Capela and Dejounte Murray / Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Hawks enter into the game tonight with one of the NBA's best offenses, but they could be without their best player. Young has recorded seven straight games of at least 30 points and 10 assists and is playing like one of the best players in the NBA right now. He is averaging 28.3 PPG and 11.2 APG (2nd in the NBA) and shooting 43.6% from the floor and 39.1% from three. If he is out tonight, the Hawks offense takes a huge hit. 

Atlanta comes into the game tonight 3rd in PPG, 15th in field goal percentage, 12th in three-point percentage, 3rd in offensive rebounding, and 14th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 5th in points per 100 possessions, 13th in effective field goal percentage, 12th in turnover percentage, 4th in offensive rebounding rate, and 12th in free throw rate. Atlanta has three high-level offensive players in Young, Dejounte Murray, and 6th man of the year candidate Bogdan Bogdanovic. 

Chicago does not have an intimidating defense either and if Young does play, I think the Hawks will have a good day. The Bulls are 11th in PPG allowed 17th in field goal percentage allowed, and 15th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Bulls are 18th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 20th in effective field goal percentage allowed. The only defensive stalwart they have in their lineup is Alex Caruso, who will likely be guarding Young in this matchup. 

Assuming Vucevic plays, the Bulls do have multiple guys in their lineup that an hurt the Hawks's defense. DeMar DeRozan and Coby White are having good seasons and White especially has been playing at a high level recently. He is averaging 17.6 PPG, 5.0 APG, and 4.1 RPG while shooting 45.6% from the field and over 40% from three. White is a dangerous shooter and has evolved into a solid playmaker as well. 

Dejounte Murray vs the Grizzlies / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

DeRozan is the leading scorer for Chicago and is averaging 22.3 PPG, 5.4 APG, and 3.8 RPG while shooting 45.5% from the field. DeRozan is not much of a three-point shooter but can score in other ways and can take over a game. There is a reason he is one of the most coveted names on the trade block. 

The offense as a whole for the Bulls is not fantastic. Chicago is 27th in PPG, 27th in field goal percentage, 18th in three-point percentage, 9th in offensive rebounding, and 3rd in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Chicago is 22nd in points per 100 possessions, 26th in effective field goal percentage, 3rd in turnover percentage, 16th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 23rd in free throw rate. 

The Hawks defense is one of the worst in the NBA and while Jalen Johnson could be back tonight, De'Andre Hunter is going to be out for at least the next two weeks. How many minutes will Johnson play tonight and will he start? Those are going to be big questions leading up to this game. If he plays, he will likely be tasked with guarding DeRozan. 

Atlanta is 27th in PPG allowed, 29th in field goal percentage allowed, and 26th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Hawks are 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions, and 28th in effective field goal percentage. They should improve once Johnson is back to full strength, but that could be a little bit considering he has not played in a month. 

Injury Report

Will Jalen Johnson return tonight? / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in over a month, Jalen Johnson is being listed as questionable on the injury report for the Hawks instead of being listed as out.

There was an update on Johnson's health over the weekend.

Johnson was nearing a return according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. He said that there is optimism that Johnson could return from the injury as soon as Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls and that could be what happens.

While Johnson being questionable is no surprise, Trae Young being questionable is a surprise. Atlanta lists Young as questionable with a right shoulder AC Sprain. If Young is out tonight, Atlanta's chances of winning against the Bulls are slim. Bogdan Bogdanovic will likely start if Young is out. 

AJ Griffin (Personal Reasons), Mouhamed Gueye (right low back stress fracture), and De'Andre Hunter (right knee inflammation) are all listed as out.

Projected Starting Lineups

Hawks:

G- Trae Young

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Garrison Matthews

F- Saddiq Bey

C- Clint Capela

I think that Quin Snyder is likely to ease Johnson back into the lineup if he is available tonight instead of starting him immediately. Garrison Matthews has been the starter when Hunter is out, but there is a chance Snyder does something else, such as starting Onyeka Okongwu at power forward. 

Bulls:

G- Coby White

G- Alex Caruso

F- DeMar DeRozan

F- Patrick Williams

C- Nikola Vucevic

If Vucevic can't play tonight, Andre Drummond should get the start for the Bulls. 

Player to watch on the Hawks- Jalen Johnson (if he is available)

This felt like an easy choice. Johnson is one of the Hawks's most important players and the quicker he is able to get to full strength, the better the Hawks will be. I don't know if he will play a lot tonight if he is available, but he should be ramping back up to be a full-time starter. In his first game back from an injury, he is the player to watch tonight. 

Player to Watch on the Bulls- Coby White

DeRozan and Vucevic are bigger names, but White has arguably been outplaying them over the past few weeks. He has been a very good three-point shooter and has given one of the worst offenses in the NBA a big boost. This team has been playing better since LaVine was injured and White is a big reason why. 

Prediction

Trae Young and Ja Morant / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta has a lot of injury questions coming into tonight, but as long as Young plays, they have a chance. I am interested in seeing how Snyder handles Johnson's minutes if he does return tonight. Atlanta has the firepower to beat the Bulls and I think they will on the road tonight if Young does play. 

Final Score: Hawks 117, Bulls 112

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