The Atlanta Hawks get set to tangle against the Chicago Bulls in the league's play-in game Wednesday night inside the United Center in Chicago, IL. This is a key match-up between the 9^th and 10^th-place teams in the Eastern Conference. They tip it off at 9:30 pm.  Bookmaker has installed the Bulls as a - 3.5 point favorite. 

The Hawks have had an up-and-down season, and they are really lucky to be in this position because there was a stretch early on when it looked like they were going to be unable to get out of their own way. They have had a poor shooting season, and their star players have not really lived up to expectations. Not to mention, their perimeter defense is not their strong suit. 

They will turn their offensive attention over to guard Trae Young, averaging around 25 points per contest but can take over games and explode for 40-plus points on any night. 

This season, he has gotten some much-needed help from Dejounte Murray, who is having a monster season as he is getting close to 22 a game and has chipped in with 17 a game in his career against the Bulls. The Hawks will live and die by the three-point shot in this one, and if they can get going early, they can put a ton of pressure on the Bulls' defense. 

The Bulls are a team that some might label as a "tough out," meaning you do not want to see them in the playoffs, let alone the play-in game. They are a young team, and they are still trying to figure out how to win consistency, but they have shown a toughness that has yet to be lacking in years past. 

They are also young enough where they are naive enough, which would make them a very relaxed team on the floor with nothing to lose. On offense, several playmakers can take the ball fight to the tin. Small forward DeMar DeRozan has shown he can still be a consistent scorer for the Bulls, averaging around 24 points a game.  

If the Bulls can contain Young, knock down their open shots, and win the battle on the boards, they can pull off the win here. The Bulls also need to try to get Young into early foul trouble. 

The Bulls are 2-3 in their last five games and 3-2 in their previous five games against the number. They are also 22-18 in their road games against the number. The totals have gone over in four out of their last five games and 20 out of their last 41 games at home. 

The Hawks are 3-2 in their last five games and 2-3 in their last five games against the spread. They are a rough 18-23 in their road games against the spread, and the totals have gone over in five out of their last five games and 22 out of their last 41 games at home.