Chicago Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction: A battle of underachievers

The NBA Regular Season will be done in less than a week. This will call for the departure of 10 squads and mark the beginning of the Play-in tournament. The Play-in tournament provides a chance for the ninth and tenth seeds to sneak a Playoff while complicating matters for the seventh and eighth seeds, which do have a second chance but can also make matters complicated. In this game, two Play-in bound teams, the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks will collide.

The Bulls enter the game after defeating the Grizzlies 128:107 as Zach LaVine picked up 36 points and nine assists. The Bulls have two wins in a row and have collected nine wins in 13 games. Chicago has now won 38 and lost 40 games which does give them outside of getting an important eighth-seed position. The Bulls’ next two games are against tough opponents and this game especially holds a lot of value. The duo of DeRozan and LaVine has been getting it done but the offensive depth has been hit, only showing improvements recently. Chicago has played well lately but it has come a bit too late.

The Hawks come into this match after defeating the Mavericks 132:130 on the back of a 25 points performance by DeJounte Murray. The Hawks have been splitting their games, meaning they have followed a win with a loss. This sums up their season and they have 39 wins and 39 losses and have a chance to nab the eighth spot which will give them a second chance if they lose in the first Play-in tournament, the schedule ahead can be a bit tricky although perhaps at the tail-end of the season teams like 76ers and Celtics may rest their main players.

• Bulls: OUT: Justin Lewis, Lonzo Ball. PROBABLE: Javonte Green, Alex Caruso;
• Hawks: OUT: De’Andre Hunter. QUESTIONABLE: Trae Young.

This is a big game for both teams. A Bulls’ win gives them the same record as the Hawks and the confidence to finish in the top eight whereas a win for the Hawks gives them the eighth spot. I believe the Bulls will be in a great rhythm at home and their improved offense may help them overcome the Hawks. Atlanta’s inconsistency can open up an avenue for Chicago who will be playing at home. I predict a scoreline of 128:115 in favor of the Hawks.