Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The Chicago Bulls aim to bounce back in front of their home crowd following unexpected defeats to the New Orleans Pelicans (113:119) and Sacramento Kings (119:124) on home court. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks find themselves in a prolonged slump, managing victories only against the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz in their last six away games. Their short bench makes it challenging for them to replicate their December success against the Bulls (141:133).
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have won five of their last nine games. A crucial factor has been Zach LaVine's phenomenal form, scoring 25+ points in eight of those matches. The Bulls rank sixth in the league for three-point shooting accuracy (37.6%) and fourth in scoring (118.1 points per game), posing a significant threat to the fatigued Hawks. Additionally, the return of Ayo Dosunmu (12.6 points and 4.8 assists) and Coby White (18.5 points and 4.6 assists) will add further creativity and versatility.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have struggled on the road, losing six of their last eight matches. Defensively, they are one of the league's weakest (119.8 points conceded, 28th place) and consistently falter in the final quarters, losing this segment in four of their last five games. This stems from a short rotation and player fatigue, becoming a major second-half issue. Moreover, the potential absence of Trae Young (23.1 points) and Jalen Johnson (19.8 points) could impact their offence.
Chicago Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction
The Atlanta Hawks continue to underperform in away games, whereas the Chicago Bulls appear much more stable. The Bulls have already defeated the Hawks twice this season (136:122; 125:113). Considering LaVine's current form and the Hawks' challenges, we're confident that the Bulls will win.
