Bulls vs Hawks Betting Odds - Road-weary Bulls head to Atlanta

Chicago is seeing their betting hopes go down the drain early in the season, due to a lack of scoring and a lot of problems on the road, where they spent the last half of November to no success. The Bulls travel to Atlanta on Wednesday in ESPN’s televised contest, and the Hawks have been waiting for Chicago since Saturday, so they’ll be ready to push these young Bulls.

Bulls vs Hawks betting odds maker breakdown: THE STORYLINE
The Bulls (7-11 before Tuesday’s game against New Jersey) had faltered recently, and they dropped their last six games on the road, mostly by blowouts. The Hawks (14-6) have cooled off since their high-flying start, but they’re still within shouting distance of Orlando in the Southeast Division. The Bulls desperately need a win or the calling for Vinnie Del Negro’s termination as coach will get louder.

Betting Edge: Bulls

Bulls vs Hawks betting odds maker breakdown: STARTING FIVE
The Bulls are led by Luol Deng’s 17.2 points, while Derrick Rose struggled with an ankle injury early in the season and doesn’t seem to be fully recovered yet. John Salmons, Joakim Noah and rookie Taj Gibson round out the top five, but the team really misses Ben Gordon’s scoring ability.

The Hawks have had the same starting five for all 20 games this season, which is always good for continuity. Joe Johnson is having another All-Star-caliber season, while Josh Smith is showing more maturity, especially at the offensive end of the floor. Al Horford, Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby are the rest of the Atlanta starters, and all five are averaging at least 10.2 points.

Betting Edge: Hawks

Bulls vs Hawks betting odds maker breakdown: BENCH
The Chicago bench has taken a beating with injuries to Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas, which leaves Brad Miller as the first guy off the bench. Jannero Pargo, who came over from New Orleans in the offseason, should start to see more time, but it’s slim pickings on the pine for the Bulls.

Jamal Crawford is second on the team with 16.1 points, and he could be in the running for the Sixth Man award if he keeps playing like this. Crawford is the primary scorer for the second unit, whie players like Zaza Pachulia and Mo Evans are focused on defense.

Betting Edge: Hawks

Bulls vs Hawks betting odds maker breakdown: OFFENSE
The Bulls are atrocious offensively, coming in 28th in points scored. Only once have they scored more than 100 points in a game, and they managed only 78 in a loss to Toronto on Saturday. Chicago shoots a brutal 43.2% from the floor, and Rose and Salmons really need to step up.

The Hawks are seventh in the league in points scored, and they’re one of the most balanced teams in the league. They also receive a major boost with Crawford’s scoring off the bench. Atlanta is ninth in field-goal percentage, and they’re fourth in the league in offensive rebounding.

Betting Edge: Hawks

Bulls vs Hawks betting odds maker breakdown: DEFENSE
The Bulls’ defense is the only thing that is keeping their sportsbook hopes afloat, and even that has taken a hit lately as Chicago has allowed 100 points or more in five of their last seven games, which have all ended in losses. With their offensive problems, there is no way that the Bulls can afford to give up more than 100 points.

Atlanta is two spots behind Chicago at 15th in points allowed, but teams are hitting 37.5% of their three-point attempts against the Hawks. Atlanta is fourth in the league in rebounds, and Smith leads the league with 2.6 blocks per game.

Betting Edge: Draw

Bulls vs Hawks betting odds maker breakdown: BETTING PREDICTION
These two have split their last 10 meetings, but Atlanta has won the last four, with all four games going over the posted total. Atlanta has been on fire at home, going 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS, while the Bulls are 2-9 away from the United Center, and 3-8 ATS. The Hawks have another advantage, as they haven’t played since their game in Dallas on Saturday, while the Bulls play New Jersey at home on Tuesday, and then travel to Atlanta for an early start. The Bulls are 0-3 in the second half of back-to-backs so far this year, and it doesn’t look like that trend will change.

Betting Edge: Hawks

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