Peachtree Hoops: Atlanta Hawks-Chicago Bulls Play-In Tournament Preview

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Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Win or go home.

The Hawks will need to fight off elimination twice just to qualify for the postseason — something no 10-seed has yet to do in the current Play-In Tournament format dating back to 2021. The winner will travel to play the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat 7-seed versus 8-seed game. But the first step will be a matchup with the ninth-seeded Chicago Bulls in the United Center.

A Clash of Styles

The Bulls play at a deliberate halfcourt pace — 28th in the NBA — something that will be at odds with the Hawks’ fifth-fasted pace in the NBA. Chicago has both a below average offensive rating and defensive rating, but they’ve been among the best clutch performers in the league this season. The Bulls had the second-best clutch net rating in the league in 2023-24 (and the Hawks were unsurprisingly ranked 26th). If the Hawks can speed the game up through the pacey Trae Young, spread the floor, and share the ball, I like their chances.

Offense

Chicago is built around DeMar DeRozan and his midrange scoring and creation, but guard Coby White has had a breakout season (19 points and five assists per game this season) that may see him take home the Most Improved Player Award. Nikola Vucevic has slowed down in recent seasons, but can still stretch the floor and act as a high post hub.

De’Andre Hunter will be tasked with not letting DeRozan getting to his spots around the free throw line. But most important will be containing White and Dosunmu, who have had great success getting to the rim in earlier matchups with the Hawks. My guess is that Wesley Matthews tag teams with Hunter to make life as hard as possible for DeRozan.

Defense

Alex Caruso remains one of, if not the, toughest on ball defenders in the league, and so Trae Young and Dejounte Murray will need to avoid turning the ball over and giving Chicago easy points the other way. Jevon Carter and Ayo Dosunmu are both versatile perimeter defenders who can provide secondary ball handling if needed.

Despite Vucevic’s low mobility and lack of rim protection, the Bulls are first in the league in points in the paint per 100 possessions surrendered. Stylistically, Chicago prefers to go under a lot of screen actions and bring multiple bodies into the paint on drives to make up for that lack of rim protection.

Rebounding

Atlanta may breathe a sigh of relief if large human being Andre Drummond — who had put on a rebounding clinic to this point in matchups with the Hawks — is ruled out. Both teams are likely to go small if so, with the likes of De’Andre Hunter and DeMar DeRozan battling at the 4-spot.

Final Word

With Trae Young recently reincorporated into the rotation from a torn ligament in his left pinky finger, Atlanta will have the best player in the game. They have leaned into greater floor spacing units in recent weeks, with Garrison Mathews making a late run to finish inside the top-5 on the three-point accuracy leaderboard.

Facing a less mobile Bulls frontcourt, Atlanta will need to drive and kick to great success — like in their sole 2023-24 win over the Bulls on April 1. The Hawks have yet to lose a Play-In game in the three seasons since its introduction in the current format. And despite an injury-riddled season and a lack of faith from NBA pundits, I don’t expect the Hawks to simply lay down in this one.

Games from the regular season:

Bulls won the season series 2-1

December 26, 2023 — Chicago 118, Atlanta 113

February 12, 2024 — Chicago 136, Atlanta 126

April 1, 2024 — Atlanta 113, Chicago 101

Bulls projected starters:

• G Coby White
• G Alex Caruso
• F Javonte Green
• F DeMar DeRozan
• C Nikola Vucevic

Bulls projected bench (*listed as questionable):

• G Jevon Carter
• G Ayo Dosunmu*
• W Dalen Terry
• F Torrey Craig
• C Andre Drummond*

Hawks projected starters:

• G Trae Young
• G Dejounte Murray
• W Bogdan Bogdanovic
• F De’Andre Hunter
• C Clint Capela

Hawks projected bench:

• W Garrison Mathews
• W/F Wesley Matthews
• C Bruno Fernando

Unlikely to play:

• G Trent Forrest
• G Kobe Bufkin
• W AJ Griffin
• F Mouhamed Gueye

Ineligible (two-way contract)/out due to injury:

• W Vit Krejci (TW)
• W/F Dylan Windler (TW)
• W Seth Lundy (TW, ankle injury as well)
• F Jalen Johnson (ankle)
• F Saddiq Bey (ACL surgery)
• C Onyeka Okongwu (toe)

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: United Center, Chicago, IL

Start Time: 9:30 EDT PM

TV: ESPN

Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)

Streaming: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fubo

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