Peachtree Hoops: Preview: Hawks look to get back on track vs. Bulls

[Hawksquawk]

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks (27-25) will look to get back on track Friday evening when they host the Chicago Bulls (22-28). After a four-game win streak, the Hawks dropped the second half of a back-to-back to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. They will look to get back into the win column and bolster their status in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Chicago comes in as losers of six of their last nine despite their recent acquisition of All-Star center Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic, but they have won their last three. The Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, and currently sit as the No. 10 seed in the East standings. For the season, the Bulls rank 20th with a -1.2 net rating, but obviously very little of that time has been after the trade for Vucevic. They rank 17th in offensive rating (110.6) and 18th in defensive efficiency (111.9).

Atlanta is 5-5 in their last ten games after dropping Wednesday’s game to Memphis, and carries a +1.6 net rating, good enough for tenth in the NBA, into Friday’s action. The Hawks remain a much stronger team on the offensive end, as they rank ninth in offensive rating (114) and 23rd on defense (112.4).

Injuries

For the Hawks, Clint Capela (left Achilles soreness) and Danilo Gallinari (left ankle soreness) are questionable. De’Andre Hunter (right knee soreness), John Collins (left ankle sprain), Kris Dunn (right ankle surgery), and Cam Reddish (right Achilles soreness) remain out.

Chicago listed only Garrett Temple (out, hamstring) on their injury report Thursday evening. The Bulls are traveling on a back-to-back, so there are possibly increased odds of someone resting on a back-to-back.

The Line

Atlanta opens as a three-point favorite for the second consecutive game. They have the rest and travel advantage as well, like they did on Wednesday vs. the Grizzlies. The status of Capela and Gallinari will certainly impact the final line, so stay posted on that front if interested.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the day.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Friday, Apr. 9, 8:00 pm ET

Location: State Farm Arena

TV: Bally Sports Southeast, NBA League Pass (out of market)

Radio: 92.9 The Game (Atlanta); Hawks Radio Network

Streaming: Fox Sports Go

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