Hawks vs Bulls Picks and Predictions: Dosunmu Keeps Making Most of Opportunities

The NBA returns to action tonight following the All-star break with seven games on the board and one of the most exciting sees the Atlanta Hawks visit the Chicago Bulls in an Eastern Conference clash.

The Bulls come out of the break sitting second in the East while the Hawks went on a nice run before the ASG to climb back into a play-in spot. As a result, tonight’s matchup has a tight 3-point spread. But who has the basketball betting edge?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Hawks vs. Bulls on February 24.

Hawks vs Bulls odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Bulls opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 3.5-point home chalk but there are some 3s starting to show up at some shops. The total, on the other hand, has seen the bulk of the action. Since hitting the board at 236, the Over has been hammered, moving the line as high as 240.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Hawks vs Bulls predictions

• Prediction: Bulls -3 (Odds)
• Prediction: Under 240.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Dosunmo Over 5.5 Assists (+100)

Predictions made on 2/24/2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Hawks vs Bulls game info

• Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
• Date: Thursday, February 24, 2022
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports Southeast, NBCS-Chicago

Hawks vs Bulls betting preview

Key injuries

Hawks: John Collins PF (Out).
Bulls: Lonzo Ball PG (Out), Alex Caruso SG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Hawks are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven road games versus a team with a winning home record. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Bulls.

Hawks vs Bulls picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

The Chicago Bulls were one of the best stories of the first half of the NBA season. They were in first place in the Eastern Conference for much of the time (they now sit in second) and DeMar DeRozan has played so well, there has even been some MVP talk surrounding him. 

With DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic leading the way, the Bulls have the NBA’s fourth-rated offense. But while the Bulls offense has been charging along, its defense has left much to be desired, ranking 20th in defensive rating.

That has made the Bulls a very streaky team. After a 26-10 start, they went 7-11  before winning five in a row heading into the All-Star break. So, what version of the Bulls will we see tonight?

Well, if there is another team that knows about being streaky, it’s the Hawks. Like the Bulls, they are all offense with defense being optional. In fact, it’s even more extreme for Atlanta, which ranks second in offense and 27th in defense. 

And that really hurt a team that was just two wins away from the NBA Finals last summer. On Jan. 15, Atlanta was 17-25 but has gone 11-5 in its last 16 to climb back into a play-in spot.

With these teams having very similar traits we’ll side with the short home favorite in this one.

Prediction: Bulls -3 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

Talk about a total to come out of the break too. The number of 240.5 is one of the biggest of the NBA season and it's not all that surprising considering the offense-first philosophy of both teams. That said, this number is so high that you almost have to play the Under out of principle. 

These teams met twice in December and each game saw exactly 248 total points but that’s not enough reason for us to like the Over here.

Despite the great offenses on display, the Bulls and Hawks score 112.6 and 112.2 points per game, respectively. And maybe somewhat surprisingly, they are both middle-of-the-pack teams when it comes to pace of play.

Don’t expect players to come out flying in the first game after an extended break. Bet on this one to slip below the massive total. 

Prediction: Under 240.5 (-110)

Best bet

The Bulls are still without Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso and that means another start for Ayo Dosunmu. And as long as he keeps starting, he'll keep dishing out dimes to the likes of DeRozan and LaVine.

Dosunmu has started 18 games since the middle of January and is averaging 6.8 assists over that span. The Bulls guard has had six or more assists 13 times in that 18-game stretch, including eight times in his last 10. 

Now, he faces a Hawks team that has a habit of allowing the extra pass. Atlanta allows the fourth-most assists per game in the NBA. Bet on Dosunmu to keep feeding in teammates the rock in this one.

Pick: Ayo Dosunmu Over 5.5 Assists (+100)

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