Hawks vs Bulls: Zach LaVine's Status Revealed For Tonight's Game

The Bulls just gave an update on Zach LaVine and his playing status for tonight

Oct 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) defends Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images

Bulls guard/forward Zach LaVine had been questionable coming into today's game vs the Atlanta Hawks and shortly before the game tonight, the Bulls revealed his playing status for tonight's game. LaVine will be able to play tonight vs the Hawks.

Zach LaVine (adductor) available to play Saturday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) November 9, 2024

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.