Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls - 12/28/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Chicago -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 226.5

Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks (6-25, 5th in the Southeast Division) are headed to United Center on Saturday where they'll meet the Chicago Bulls (12-20, 3rd in the Central Division). Atlanta opens this contest as 6.5 point dogs. The O/U opens at 226.5.

The Hawks cover the spread 41.9% of the time, having gone 13-18-0 ATS. Chicago is covering 53.1% of the time, going 17-15-0 against the spread.

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

12/26/2019 Jabari Parker PF Shoulder Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Evan Turner SG Hamstring Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Alex Len C Ankle Game Time Decision

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/23/2019 Max Strus SG Knee Out for the season
12/23/2019 Chandler Hutchison SF Shoulder Game Time Decision
12/15/2019 Jr SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Jan 15

Player Spotlight

Trae Young comes into this game averaging 29.0 points per contest while playing 35.6 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 8.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 85%. Jabari Parker averages 15.4 points per contest in 26.5 minutes per game. He averages 1.8 assists per game and 6.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% for the season while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen scores 14.7 points per contest while playing 30.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.8 rebounds per contest and has 1.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Zach Lavine averages 23.6 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.6 rebounds per game and has 3.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Atlanta averages 108.8 points per contest, which is 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -9.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 20th. From 3-point territory they shoot 32%, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They average 42.0 boards per contest and 23.3 assists per game, which ranks them 29th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 1st with 17.0 per game. The Hawks allow 118.6 points per contest, which is 29th in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 18th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.7 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they allow 24.6 assists per game which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 16.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 24th in the NBA with 105.7 points per contest this season. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -1.56. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 20th in the league. They are 23rd in the NBA in rebounding with 43.7 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 23.1. The Bulls are 10th in turnovers per contest with 15.8. The Bulls give up 107.3 points per game, which ranks them 9th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 13th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.9 dimes allowed per game and 27th with 47.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulls are 30th in the league in forcing turnovers with 18.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Hawks are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 113.8, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 28th. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 103.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 24th. As a unit they are 24th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Atlanta is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 5th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.2, and their defensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Hawks/Bulls NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago -6.5

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