Two teams battling for playoff positioning meet up on Monday when the Chicago Bulls (25-28, 9th in the East) travel to take on the Atlanta Hawks (24-29, 10th in the East). Both teams were quiet at the deadline and did not make any big moves. Chicago is coming off a road loss in Orlando, losing 114-108, and just missing the cover as 5.5-point dogs. The Hawks are fresh off a home win over Houston, winning 122-113 and covered as 7.5-point favorites. This is the second of three matchups between these teams this season, with the Bulls winning the first matchup by five at home. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 EST from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
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The Chicago Bulls are holding on to the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference, they are 3.5 games ahead of the Nets who sit in 11th, so it is not a foregone conclusion they will get a spot in the playoffs. The Bulls have been playing for weeks without two of their day 1 starters in Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams, both of which will miss this game. The Bulls won two of their last three, with victories over Minnesota and Memphis, before losing in Orlando. Against the Magic, Chicago was led by DeMar DeRozan with 28 points in the loss.
Ayo to the rack!@NBCSChicago | @AyoDos_11 pic.twitter.com/v9E6rmzWNk
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 11, 2024
DeRozan has been the leading scorer this season with 22.5 PPG, while adding 5.2 APG and 4.1 RPG. He has scored 24 or more in each of his last four games, including a high of 33 coming against the T-Wolves. Coby White has stepped up and accepted a bigger role with the team this season, he is averaging 19.3 PPG and is the top shooter making 2.8 threes per game on 39.5% shooting from deep. Nikola Vucevic is a reliable center inside, he had a monster game against Orlando last time out with 26 points and 17 rebounds. Vucevic is averaging 17.5 PPG and 10.6 RPG. Alex Caruso started the last game, and is averaging 9.8 PPG as a wing defender.
Ayo Dosunmu was the 5th starter last time out, he is an athletic guard averaging 9.7 PPG this season. Torrey Craig and Andre Drummond played the most of the minutes off the bench. The Bulls rank 21st in offensive efficiency and 16th in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. They play at the s lowest tempo in the league, ranking 30th in pace of play.
Injury Report:
Out: Zach Lavine, Patrick Williams, Lonzo Ball