The Chicago Bulls host the Atlanta Hawks tonight, Monday May 2nd, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Hawks lead the Bulls 3-2 SU through their last five meetings. NBA oddsmakers have the Bulls as -8.5 point home favourites over the Hawks with the over/under set at 178.5 points. Be sure to check the Hawks vs Bulls NBA Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
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tlanta (4-2, 1-2 V) closed out the Orlando Magic in six games, while averaging 86.8ppg and giving up 88.6ppg. Now they go from defending Dwight Howard to trying to stop the explosive Bulls guard Derrick Rose. Injuries and matchup concerns have the Hawks considering multiple changes to their starting lineup for tonight's playoff series opener against the Bulls. They have to find a replacement for injured starter Kirk Hinrich at point guard. They are expected to be without their best defensive guard for the entire series as he recovers from a severely strained right hamstring. Drew also hinted at possible changes at small forward and center. The Hawks have practiced for two days with both Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford getting work with the first-team at point guard. Teague has averaged 5.2 points and 2.0 assists per game in his second NBA season. He started seven games this season, including a stretch in February when the Hawks traded Mike Bibby and acquired Hinrich. Drew would prefer to keep Crawford coming off the bench, where he thrived against Orlando and led the Hawks in scoring at 20.5 points a game in the 4-2 series victory. "The decision that I have to kind of ponder is whether to disrupt what we do off the bench versus just going back and starting [Crawford]," Drew said. "The last few days, we've looked at both situations. The things we've done, we've used them in the starting lineup and out of the starting lineup."
Chicago (4-1, 3-0 H) made quick work of the Indiana Pacers, dropping only one road game. During their five games the Bulls averaged 97.6ppg and allowed 90.2ppg. Most of the games against the Pacers were close and could’ve gone either way; and now they’ll face a totally different team and style of play. Rose had his difficulties against Indiana, committing 19 turnovers in the series. Derrick Rose had success both getting to the free-throw line and sinking 3-pointers during their regular-season series against the Hawks and won't face as much physical play as he did during the Pacers series. "I think it's going to be tougher, with all the guys that they have in," said Rose, who had an excused absence from practice Sunday for personal reasons. "They've got guys that can really jump and contest my shots — really big guys. (Zaza) Pachulia and (Al) Horford are tough players. If anything, I'm (expecting) the worst because it's going to be a tough series." A healthy Carlos Boozer would help, but what they'll get from him remains to be seen. He was struggling against the Pacers even before turf toe surfaced on his right foot in Game 5. Rose finished with just 12 points on 5-of-21 shooting and six turnovers in a loss at Atlanta on March 2 but looked more like an MVP in their next two meetings. He hit 14 of 15 free throws while scoring 34 nine days later in a win at home against the Hawks and hit 6 of 8 3-pointers while pouring in 30 as the Bulls won big at Atlanta on March 22.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Hawks are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Hawks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Bulls are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Southeast.
Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
Hawks vs Bulls
When: Monday, May 02, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Bulls -8.5
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NBA Point Spreads before Hawks vs Bulls game.
The Bottom Line: The Bulls will win, but the Hawks can easily cover. Be sure to check Hawks vs Bulls Basketball Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
