Bulls vs Hawks

Atlanta’s attack finally has Trae Young back in the lineup, and even if his minutes are still monitored after the knee sprain, his track record against Chicago (21 points and 17 assists in their first meeting) changes how the Hawks function late in close games. With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined, Atlanta has been leaning on Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and a deep wing rotation, and despite a two-game skid they’ve quietly stayed over .500 while navigating those absences. Chicago rolls in on a two-game win streak after hanging 136 on Cleveland, but that followed a seven-game skid earlier in the month and their defense has already surrendered 120+ regularly, including 123 to Golden State and 123 to these Hawks in October. Given the Hawks’ home-court edge, the matchup advantage of Young in pick-and-roll against a Vucevic-led back line, and the possibility that Coby White is less than 100%, I lean to Atlanta on the moneyline at this number, though the price keeps it in solid value rather than premium territory. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 21/12/2025 09:37

Chicago’s recent surge behind Josh Giddey’s all-around play, Matas Buzelis’ scoring bump and Nikola Vucevic’s inside-out efficiency has produced some big totals, but 245 is a massive number when you factor in Atlanta’s current injury landscape. The Hawks are still without Porzingis for at least another week or so, Young is ramping back up after a 22-game absence, and Quin Snyder just watched his team muster only 98 points at home against San Antonio while dropping their second straight. Their previous matchup in Chicago landed at 251, but that came with Porzingis cooking early and both teams shooting efficiently from three; this time, Atlanta’s frontcourt spacing is compromised and Young may not push the pace for 35+ minutes, while the Bulls could be down a key perimeter scorer if White’s sore ankle limits him. With both sides trending toward a little more halfcourt creation and the Hawks’ offense still recalibrating around a recovering Young, the Under 245 offers better value than banking on another outlier shootout. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 21/12/2025 09:37

Josh Giddey and the Bulls already erased a 13-point deficit to beat Atlanta 128-123 back in October, and that was with Porzingis healthy and Jalen Johnson thriving, so getting +4.5 now against a Hawks group missing its All-Star big and riding a two-game losing streak feels generous. Chicago has stabilized after that seven-game slide, winning two straight behind a more balanced attack where Buzelis and Vucevic just combined for 48 points in Cleveland, and Billy Donovan has enough length on the wings (Okoro, Buzelis, Patrick Williams) to at least make Young work for his touches even if he repeats his 21-and-17 line. The Hawks’ frontcourt depth is thinned, their defense has bled efficient looks inside and out (126 allowed to San Antonio, 133 to Charlotte), and with Coby White still a threat to play through ankle soreness the Bulls have multiple ballhandlers to punish Atlanta’s weaker bench units. I expect Young’s shotmaking to tilt the straight-up result toward Atlanta more often than not, but the combination of Chicago’s current form, matchup history in this season series and the Hawks’ health concerns makes Bulls +4.5 the better number to ride. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 21/12/2025 09:37