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Highlights Video :
Chicago is playing the second of back-to-back games and is looking for their third straight win, while Atlanta is seeking their eighth consecutive victory over the Bulls.
Preview
The Atlanta Hawks (26-19) are currently in the fourth place in the East and at the top of the Southeast Division, but the Wizards are tracking them down and could overtake them with a loss here. After consecutive wins, Atlanta suffered a surprising loss against the injury-plagued Clippers at home, 105-115. Kent Bazemore led the Hawks with 25 points, while Dennis Schroder had 21 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Paul Millsap added 19 points, eight boards, seven dimes, a pair of steals and blocks, while Dwight Howard posted a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, along with two thefts. Schroder has a fantastic match-up as he faces Jerian Grant and should dominate the game, while Howard and Millsap are players to watch as well. Atlanta already won twice in head-to-head duels this year, most recently a few days ago in Georgia, 102-93.
The Chicago Bulls (23-23) are back in the playoff picture after two straight wins, and they are sitting in the seventh position in the East. Last night, the Bulls defeated the Orlando Magic in Florida, 100-92, thanks to the solid defensive stops in the crucial moments of the game. Dwyane Wade led the Bulls with 21 points, seven rebounds, and an incredible season-high of seven thefts, Jimmy Butler had 20 points, eight boards, and three steals, while Cristiano Felicio recorded a double-double of 12 points and ten rebounds. Wade is the player to watch for the hosts after his horrible performance last week when the Bulls played the Hawks; he ended the game with four points (2-10 from the field), so he should bounce back in this one. Butler has an interesting match-up against Thabo Sefolosha who is a solid defender. Michael Carter-Williams is the latest player who fell out with coach Hoiberg, and now he’s experiencing the same fate as Rajon Rondo earlier in the season.
Keys to the game
Atlanta Hawks
Although it wasn’t the case the last time they met, the Hawks’ frontcourt should dominate this game from the beginning as this one could be much closer than in the previous match when Howard and Millsap rested in the final quarter, following Atlanta’s big lead. Now they will play a bigger factor, while Schroder should run the floor for the visitors, as he led the team with 25 points in a 102-93 win. With a favourable match-up against Grant, Dennis is expected to score another 25-plus tonight.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls will be close to the victory if their superstar duo of Wade and Butler combine for 50-plus points. They scored 41 in a low-scoring game in Orlando, but these numbers could improve here as I expect more points from both teams. However, the pair cannot win the game by themselves, and they need support from their teammates, so unless Gibson, Mirotic, and McDermott provide them with backing, the Bulls will lose this match.
Atlanta Hawks projected starting lineup
PG – Schroder / SG – Bazemore / SF – Sefolosha / PF – Millsap / C – Howard.
Schroder and Millsap will likely lead the team on the scoreboard, but Howard and Bazemore should follow them in points. Atlanta’s bench have to improve if they want to record a victory here.
Chicago Bulls projected starting lineup
PG – Grant / SG – Wade / SF – Butler / PF – Gibson / C – Lopez.
Butler and Wade will lead the starters, while Mirotic and McDermott should be useful off the bench.
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