Atlanta has had a rough go of it since the All-Star Break, losing three straight home games to fall behind Miami in the race to win the Southeast Division. The Hawks need to break that streak and hope to get a win Friday night when they host the Chicago Bulls.
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SCHEDULE
Chicago has the unenviable task of playing the Hawks as the middle game of a three game in four night sandwich. The Bulls host Washington on Wednesday before traveling to Atlanta on Friday and then host Portland on Saturday.
The Hawks have no such worries, Atlanta has a rare three day respite and will be well-rested for this one.
KEY MATCHUP
Chicago got a big game for E'Twaun Moore in its win against the Lakers on Sunday. Moore matched his career high in points, hitting 10-of-14 from the floor and scored 24 points to help lead Chicago to consecutive triumphs. Moore's big game was especially important because the Bulls' backcourt was extremely thin with the absence of both Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic.
Since Mirotic has been hurt, the Bulls are just 4-7 overall and two of those wins came against the lowly Lakers. With both Butler and Mirotic still expected to be out for another few weeks, Moore's play is very important for Chicago.
Since the backcourt is depleted, Pau Gasol has been asked to take on a bigger role. Gasol has responded in true veteran form, averaging 17.7 PPG, nine rebounds a game, and six assists per game since the break.
He'll have his hands full Friday matching wits against Paul Millsap and Al Horford.
Atlanta's guards should be able to have good games against Chicago, especially Jeff Teague. Teague hasn't been at his best in the Hawks' last two losses, going just 7-of-20 from the floor and providing just 21 points. He played very well the last time he played Chicago though, scoring 17 points and adding six rebounds, eight assists, and three steals in a Hawks' win.
Dennis Schroder has been on fire since the break, and is one of the few bright spots the Hawks' currently have. Schroder has hit almost 60 percent of his shots from the field in the Hawks' last three and tallied almost 20 points per game. He is expected to play even more as Teague is still a bit bothered by a right wrist injury.
LIVE BETTING SCENARIO
The Bulls haven't been a great team for bettors this season with a 22-33 ATS record overall and an 11-16 ATS mark away from home. Chicago has covered three in a row to improve its record, but before that the Bulls had failed to cover six of their previous seven. The over has been a solid bet though when the Bulls are on the road, holding a 17-10 record.
Atlanta has been a marginal team against the betting line on the season in going 27-30-1 ATS, and stands just 14-15 ATS at Philips Arena. Also, the Hawks have failed to cover for bettors in their last four home games.
How Chicago will be able to contain Teague and Schroder without two of its three best guards is the story here. If Moore and Derrick Rose can excel playing extended minutes on Friday, the Bulls have a good chance to win.
The Bulls can throw enough bodies at Atlanta to neutralize Horford and Johnson and should match the production. However, Schroder has been on fire lately and if Teague continues to recover from his wrist injury, the Hawks should be able to exploit the Bulls' depth issues in a big way.
When Rose and Moore step off the floor, grab the Hawks on the readjusted pointspread.
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Bet on the NBA today as the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks square off Friday, February 26, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Philips Arena. The matchup will be televised nationally on ESPN.
