The Chicago Bulls (13-15) and Atlanta Hawks (15-15) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. The game will be broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Hawks are 3.5-point favorites over the Bulls on the spread (Hawks -3.5), with the over/under set at 252.5 total points. Atlanta is a -162 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Chicago is +136 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bulls vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, December 23.
My Bulls vs Hawks Prediction
- Bulls vs Hawks pick: Trae Young Over 9.5 Assists (+109)
My Hawks vs Bulls best bet is on Trae Young to record over 9.5 assists, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Bulls vs Hawks Odds
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -105 | 252.5 -112o / -108u | +136 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -115 | 252.5 -112o / -108u | -162 |
Bulls vs Hawks NBA Preview
With a 14-game slate in the NBA tonight, several teams are on the second night of a back-to-back. While both of these teams were off last night, they played one of the wildest games you will see on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls defeated the Hawks 152-150 in the highest scoring game this season. The Bulls were also involved in the second-highest scoring game this season, a 150-147 double overtime loss to the Jazz.
Despite scoring over 150 points, the Bulls only had two players over 20 points.
Matas Buzelis led the way with 28 points on 10-for-11 from the field and 7-for-8 from deep while Coby White chipped in 21 points. Josh Giddey nearly recorded another triple-double with 19 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists.
For the Hawks, it was the stars that led the way as Jalen Johnson had 36 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. He has a double-double in 17 of his last 20 games.
Trae Young has flirted with a double-double in each of his two games since returning. This time, he finished an assist short, but scored 35 points and knocked down seven threes.
While I would not expect 300 points again, these teams have played high-scoring affairs of late. Six of the last 10 meetings have gone over while seven of them have had at least 235 points.
The Bulls should benefit offensively from Dyson Daniels being out for tonight's game. However, even with Daniels, the Hawks have been 27th in defensive rating over the last 10 games while the Bulls have been 25th in that span.
Bulls vs Hawks Prediction, Betting Analysis
Sunday's game was the first time in the last eight games that Young did not have 10 assists against the Bulls. He has averaged 13.1 assists and 20.1 potential assists in those games.
The Bulls are also 28th in points allowed and 24th in assists per game this season.
In his two games since returning, Trae Young has played 20 and 26 minutes. Despite the 26 minutes, he still had 14 potential assists. He cleared his line (8.5) on Sunday, but tonight we will need one more.
As Quin Snyder re-integrates him back in the lineup, he is trending towards playing 28-30 minutes tonight. If that is the case, I like his chances of getting 10 assists tonight.
I expect a few of Young's assists to go to Johnson, who has scored 25 points in four straight games against the Bulls.
In his last four games against the Bulls, he is averaging 29 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. He has cleared 40 PRA in 16 of his last 20 games with 63 and 56 in two games since Young's return.
Giddey is averaging 18.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game against the Hawks this season. He finished with 36 and 40 PRA in those games and he is averaging 35.2 PRA over his last 10 games.
White is averaging 22.3 points in his last nine games against the Hawks. He has scored 20 points in six of those games and he has gotten to 20 in eight of his last 10 games overall. If he gets to 20 tonight, I like our chances of cashing this parlay.
Pick: Trae Young Over 9.5 Assists (+109, DraftKings)
Bulls vs Hawks Parlay Picks
- Jalen Johnson 40+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Josh Giddey 35+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Coby White 20+ Points
- Trae Young Over 9.5 Assists
Parlay Odds: +500 via DraftKings
