ATLANTA @ CHICAGO (CHI -3, 222)
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HAWKS VS. BULLS 4/17/24
With six straight losses, the Atlanta Hawks finished the regular season in a tailspin. All they need to do now is win two straight games to qualify for the NBA playoffs. The Eastern Conference play-in round has given the Hawks newfound life, and they will host the Chicago Bulls tonight.
Chicago (39-43) is ranked No. 9 in the East, while Atlanta (36-46) finished in 10th place. The loser of tonight’s game goes home for the season. The winner will take on the loser of the Miami-Philadelphia game for a chance to earn the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
The Hawks are a battered team that will be without star forward Jalen Johnson for some time due to an ankle injury. Saddiq Bey (knee) was lost for the season five weeks ago, and big man Onyeka Okongwu (big toe) is also out. Three-time All-Star Trae Young becomes even more crucial if Atlanta hopes to advance far in the postseason.
Young had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left pinkie finger, which kept him out of action for 23 games this season. He played in Atlanta's final three games and averaged 15 points and 10 assists per game. Young was subject to a minute cap that was gradually raised. After his return, he played 21 minutes, followed by 27 and 32. That accounted for the lower scoring totals.
Dejounte Murray, who has scored 29, 12, and 32 points since Young's return, will only be enhanced by Young. Despite the Hawks' lack of players, head coach Quin Snyder is not concerned about the situation. He might want to rethink that after the Hawks performance in their regular-season finale on Sunday. The host Indiana Pacers thrashed Atlanta, 157-115.
Chicago lost on the road to the New York Knicks in overtime, 120-119, to close out the regular season. DeMar DeRozan finished with 30 points but missed a close shot with 2.8 seconds remaining. The result of the game had no impact on the Bulls’ postseason prospects. The Bulls finished the regular season four games under .500.
Although Chicago is undoubtedly healthier than the Hawks, they lost star player Zach LaVine (foot) for the entire season almost three months ago. The Bulls have listed guard Ayo Dosunmu (bruised right quadriceps) and big man Andre Drummond (sprained left ankle) as questionable.
Chicago won two of their three games against Atlanta so far this season, but in their most recent meeting on April 1, the visiting Hawks claimed a 113-101 victory. DeRozan led the Bulls with 31 points, while Bogdan Bogdanovic led Atlanta with 20 points. He was one of six Hawks players in double figures.
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FREE PICK DEJOUNTE MURRAY OVER 5.5 ASSISTS
Yes, Young is back, but Murray still contributes as a playmaker. He has all season. He just had to do more with Young out of the lineup. Over his last nine games, Murray is averaging eight assists per game, which is a bit higher than his season average of 6.4. He’s had three double-digit assist games in his last six and in three games against Chicago, Murray averaged 6.3 assists. In the six games before Young got hurt in February, Murray cleared this number five times. Even with Young in the lineup, Murray can hit this number.
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