The Hawks have the better record but Chicago has the home court advantage, so this figures to be a competitive matchup. The Bulls must have really keen focus because it is imperative for them to come away with their victory in order to have a shot at catching the Indiana Pacers for the final berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
This war on the floor will go down Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 5 p.m. ET at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game will be televised live on NBA TV.
We'll have NBA odds available for this and every game on the NBA Saturday schedule.
NBA Odds
The Bulls are 35-39 straight up and 37-37 against the spread. Chicago has played in 37 home games this season and covered in 18 of them. The Bulls are 12-17 against the spread as the favorite and 25-18 against the spread as the underdog.
The Hawks are 39-36 straight up and 34-41 against the spread. Atlanta has been on the road for 37 games this season and has done well, covering in 20 of them. The Hawks are 20-31 against the spread as the favorite and 14-10 attempting to cover as the underdog.
Previous Meetings
The Hawks are 3-0 against the Bulls this season and will look to complete the sweep this weekend on the road. In the most recent meeting between the two teams on January 25th, Atlanta defeated Chicago 119-114 at United Center.
The Hawks won the other two previous matchups by even larger margins, winning 115-107 and 102-93 at home this year. Atlanta has won the last seven meetings between these two with the Bulls’ latest win coming in April 2015.
Dennis Schroder has been the difference-maker in the last two matchups against the Bulls, combining for 49 points in those games. In all three games this year, the Hawks have been a stronger shooting team and shot significantly better from the three-point line.
Player to Watch
Jimmy Butler -- With Dwyane Wade still sidelined, the Bulls playoff hopes are hinged on Jimmy Butler’s shoulders. He has played well against Atlanta so far this season, scoring 40 in one of the losses.
He is averaging 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists on the season, and must play well because the Bulls are short on impact pieces. Butler is shooting 44.8 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three-point range in addition to being one of the better defenders in the NBA.
The Bulls are struggling to make the playoffs because of the lack of depth and star power, but the issue is not Butler. He has been fantastic all season.
Free NBA ATS Pick
If the fourth game between these teams goes like the three others, the Bulls can basically kiss their slim playoff hopes goodbye. The absence of Wade is tough and the Hawks are the better team, but Chicago should be able to scratch and claw its way to the victory in this one.
The Bulls’ defense will be the difference in this one, as a strong effort on that end of the floor will help secure the victory over Atlanta. The Hawks are also jockeying for playoff positioning, and a loss could hurt their chances at the No. 5 seed.
Watch the scoring total because the “under” could be the right play depending on where it comes in.
NBA Odds: Bulls 102, Hawks 97
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