Hawks vs Bulls: Spread and Final Score Predictons

Can the Hawks find a way to defeat the Bulls at home tonight?

Nov 6, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) dribbles defended by New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

After dropping a heartbreaker on the road vs the Pistons, the Hawks are back at home to face the Chicago Bulls.

This is going to be a game between two of the NBA's worst defenses and the scoring could be very high. This is the first meeting of the year between the two teams.

Coming into tonight's game, Atlanta is 8th in PPG, 16th in field goal percentage, 16th in three-point attempts, 17th in three-point percentage, 5th in free throw attempts, 19th in rebounds, and 22nd in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 10th in points per 100 possessions, 9th in effective field goal percentage, 21st in turnover percentage, 13th in offensive rebounding rate, and 7th in free throw rate.

Defensively, it is not pretty for the Hawks. Theya re 28th in PPG allowed, 19th in FG% allowed, 30th in three-point attempts allowed, and 30th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 28th in effective field goal percentage allowed. Atlanta's defense is going to be challenged tonight by Chicago. The Bulls shoot three's at high rate and have guys that can put up a big number, especially if LaVine plays.

The Bulls offense as a whole is just middling though. They are 14th in PPG, 21st in field goal percentage, 3rd in 3PA, 9th in 3P%, 19th in free throw percentage, 5th in rebounding, and 24th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Chicago is is 25th in points per 100 possessions, 19th in effective field goal percentage, 20th in turnover percentage, 27th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 26th in free throw rate.

The defensive numbers of the Bulls are not much better than Atlanta's. Chicago is 27th in PPG allowed, 26th in field goal percentage allowed, 24th in three point attempts allowed, and 4th 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.

Trae Young had one of his best games of the season last night and could have another big game tonight. Young tallied 35 points on 11-25 shooting and 13 assists. He was 6-12 from three. The Pistons have a far better defense than Chicago and Young could feast against them.

Dyson Daniels had one of the most impressive games any player in the NBA has had this year. He totaled seven steals, as well as tallying 18 points. He was a menace defensively and will be tasked with guarding LaVine if he plays. If he does not, look for Daniels to guard Coby White.

After a career night on Wednesday, it was a tougher game for Zaccharie Risacher on Friday. He scored seven points on 2-7 shooting and had a rough night on both ends of the floor. There are going to be ups and downs with him this year and last night was a down.

Jalen Johnson took a little bit to get going last night, but finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. He only had one assist last night, something that is not regular for him.

The center position has to be better for the Hawks in this game. Clint Capela did have 12 rebounds last night vs Detroit, but was 3-10 from the field. Onyeka Okongwu had a tough night as well, leading to Quin Snyder giving minutes to Larry Nance. Nance had a nice night on offense, but the defense when he was out there was rough. Okongwu has rested on back-to-backs this year and it could just be Capela and Nance at center tonight.

The bench for the Hawks was outplayed last night in Detroit. Garrison Matthews, David Roddy, and Keaton Wallace could not find a way to get going, though Wallace only played seven minutes. They will need to be able to have more of an impact tonight.

Odds

According to Fanduel Sportsbook, Atlanta is a 3-point favorite tonight and the total is set at 237.5.

Prediction

Playing on a back-to-back with travel is tough and this game could truly go either way. Chicago is a team that loves to shoot a lot of threes and the Hawks have not been good at defending the three. Given both of those factors, I like the Bulls to come into Atlanta and pull the upset vs the Hawks.

Final Score: Bulls 121, Hawks 118

Additional Links:

Hawks vs Bulls: Game Preview, Injury Report, Betting Odds, Projected Starting Lineups For Tonight's Game

RECAP: Atlanta Hawks Start Slow And Can't Catch Up In 122-121 Loss to Pistons