The Chicago Bulls (39-23) travel to Phillips Arena Thursday to take on the Atlanta Hawks (29-32) . Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Hawks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Hawks enter the game following a 9-point road loss to the Celtics, failing to cover as 6.5-point underdogs.
Atlanta is 4-6 against the spread (ATS) over its last 10 and is also 4-6 straight up in that span. Led by All-Star G Trae Young, the Hawks are 27-34 ATS on the season.
Chicago is a much better 36-25-1 ATS and 39-23 straight up. Howeverthe Bulls are just 15-14 on the road. Chicago opened as 4-point favorites and were quickly priced down to 1.5-point favorites.
The Bulls have covered 6 of their last 9, but have failed to cover in their last 2, losing to the Grizzlies and Heat by 6 and 13 respectively.
Bulls at Hawks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls -117 (bet $117 to win $100) | Hawks -103 (bet $100 to win $103)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -1.5 (-110) | Hawks +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Bulls at Hawks key injuries
Bulls
- F Patrick Williams (wrist) out
- G Alex Caruso (wrist) out
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) out
Hawks
- G Trae Young (ankle) questionable
- G Lou Williams (hip) probable
- C Onyeka Okongwu (concussion) out
- F John Collins (foot) doubtful
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Bulls at Hawks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hawks 116, Bulls 112
Money line
BET on the HAWKS -103.
The line movement indicates sharp money is pouring in on the Hawks. Before playing this, I’d make sure Young is set to play as he’s listed as questionable on the injury report.
The Hawks haven’t been good for most of the season, but over their last 10 games, they actually have a .6 better net rating than Chicago.
The Hawks rank 7th in offensive rebounding and 3rd in turnover rate over that span of games. Chicago will continue to be without its two best perimeter defenders, which should help Young be able to operate with ease.
Lastly, Chicago isn’t good on the road at just 15-14 while Atlanta has found success at home 18-13 compared to 11-19 on the road. Having played better lately and in a situation where they’d had success, I’d back the Hawks here.
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Against the spread
PASS.
The Hawks haven’t lost a single game this season by just 1 point, so I’ll take the better money line odds.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 232.5 (-110).
The Bulls-Hawks has been assigned Josh Tiven as a crew chief. He’s just 21-24 O/U this season, allowing just under 220 points per game. Tom Washington, the referee, is just 14-21 O/U.
On top of that, while both teams have seen their defensive rating slip to over 114 over their last 10, the Hawks haven’t been playing with enough pace to warrant a 232.5-point total.
They rank 20th in pace over their last 10 whereas the Bulls sit 12th. Also the Bulls have gone Under the total in 5 of their last 6, and the Hawks have gone Under in 2 of their last 3.
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