NBA action returns on Thursday and a lot of eyes will be on the battle between the Chicago Bulls (38-21) and the Atlanta Hawks (28-30). Will DeMar DeRozan continue his immense scoring streak?
Bookmaker BetOnline has set the total for him at 28.5 points and the odds for the over are at -130 and for the under at +100.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 24th, 8:30 A.M. (EST)
DeRozan enters the matchup having averaged 35.8 points for the month and he’s just broken Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record for the most consecutive 35-point games with 50 percent or better shooting. The veteran scorer has enjoyed seven such outings in a row and the Hawks have to bring out all of their defensive tricks to ruin the streak.
DeRozan’s streak has also led to a nice run for the team as Chicago is unbeaten in five straight games, which marks the second-longest current winning streak in the league.
It’s also worth noting that most of the recent wins have come without Zach LaVine. The 26-year-old picked up a knee injury a couple of weeks back but returned to action at the All-Star Game and is fully expected to suit up on Thursday. LaVine’s addition gives Chicago another scoring threat and things could get very ugly for the Hawks who are ranked just 28th in defensive efficiency this season.
Atlanta already took a pair of hammerings in the match-up during the final week of 2021 giving up 130-plus points in both meetings. With Trae Young running the show, they have the ability to match any team on offense, but a weak defense has left last year’s Eastern Conference finalists scrambling for a postseason spot in 2021-22.
The Hawks had a seven-game winning streak of their own last month, which helped them to regain some rhythm and confidence, but they have gone 4-5 in their most recent nine outings. A pair of wins over Cleveland and Orlando just before the All-Star break steered them back on the right track, but extending the winning run is a huge task as the team faces Chicago again next week and also has a meeting with Boston coming up.
Nobody seems to be able to keep DeRozan quiet at the moment, so Atlanta’s chances on Thursday seem to hinge on their ability to shut out the rest of the Bulls. Clint Capela will play a key role against Nikola Vucevic and head coach Nate McMillan also needs to find a way to make LaVine’s life uncomfortable.
