At the end of a season full of frustrations, the Bulls and the Hawks can give themselves one last hope. While the Top 8 of the Eastern Conference, with the exception of leader Boston, was held in just four games, Chicago And Atlanta sailed alone at a comfortable distance and below the waterline of 50% victories. The play-in offers them an almost unexpected chance to pull off a coup and restore a little shine to a new season without much relief.
Already last year, both teams had to go through this first part of the final phase, with unequal success. The Hawks had climbed the table by dominating the Heat in Florida to validate the number seven seed, before being taken out by the Celtics in six games. The Bulls lost two days later against this same Miami team for the last spot, after dominating the Raptors in the 9th against 10th match.
This time, only one team will have the right to a second rab' match. The Hawks ended the season in total freewheeling (six defeats), but are capable of annoying more than one team in a match, in addition to their experience in the play-offs of recent seasons. At home, facing the biggest crowd of the season at the United Center, the Bulls will have to be on their guard.
PRESENTATION OF THE BULLS
The holders: C. White, A. Caruso, J. Green, D. DeRozan, N. Vucevic
The replacements: J. Carter, A. Funk, D. Terry, H. Drell, T. Craig, A. Sanogo
The absents : Z. Lavine, P. Williams, L. Ball, O. Bitim, A. Dosunmu (?), A. Drummond (?), J. Philips (?)
The coach: B.Donovan
The infirmary is significant on the Bulls side, and it could be very important. If Zach Lavine and Patrick Williams have been out of action for many weeks already, the possible absences of Ayo Dosunmu and Andre Drummond, both uncertain, would weigh heavily, particularly against the Hawks. Dosunmu has the ideal profile to limit Trae Young offensively, since the Atlanta leader has only shot 9/31 this season against the Bulls in two games, largely thanks to the contribution of rear of Chicago. Who himself averages 21 points against Atlanta!
As for Drummond, his presence in the infirmary highlights a little more the limits of Billy Donovan's squad in the paint, where Torrey Craig and rookie Adama Sanogo had to help out recently. The rest of the team counts on clearly identified offensive leaders with Coby White, one of the best progressions of the season, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, surrounded by mission players like Alex Caruso.
The strong point
– End-of-match management. The defeat in extremis against the Knicks in overtime on the final day of the regular season was unnatural for the Bulls. Chicago is one of the best teams this season in the final minutes of close games. The attack, far from being part of the elite the rest of the time, is the best in the league in the clutch, the last five minutes of a match with less than five points difference, in points scored and in assists, the second at address by far. And this, on large volumes, since the Bulls played 44 matches decided in this way in money time. Nothing surprising when we count in our ranks DeMar DeRozan, the best scorer in the entire league in the clutch (4.6 points).
The weak point
– The bench. Nineteenth in offensive rating, 21st in defensive rating, the Bulls are pretty average in everything. The observation is all the more alarming when seen from the bench, one of the least prolific in the league. Only the Suns score fewer points per game (26.7 units). Injuries have weakened the rotation significantly. Against the Knicks on Sunday, in what could look like a full-scale rehearsal in terms of rotation, but also possible absences, only Dalen Terry, Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter came into play for eight points scored, including six for Terry alone .
PRESENTATION OF THE HAWKS
The holders: T. Young, D. Murray, Bog. Bogdanovic, D. Hunter, C. Capela
The replacements: V. Krejci, K. Bufkin, T. Forrest, G. Matthews, D. Windler, AJ Griffin, M. Gueye, B. Fernando
The absents : S. Bey, O. Okongwu, J. Johnson, S. Lundy (?), W. Matthews (?)
The coach: Q.Snyder
The Hawks also have their share of problems. Without Jalen Johnson, Saddiq Bey, and Onyeka Okongwu, three major rotation players will be missing. But at least Trae Young is back and calling it 100%. With its All-Star leader, Atlanta can break down many defensive barriers, especially in the playoffs. Around Young, Quin Snyder's starting five totally holds up, especially if Clint Capela is back after missing the last game of the regular season.
There remain serious unknowns when it comes to the face that this unpredictable team can display, capable of XXL offensive brilliance, or of completely disappearing. And it is not the bench, very inexperienced, which provides more guarantees.
The strong point
– A fire attack. More than 118 points scored, 15 matches with at least 130 points, and a peak of 152 points without overtime. The Hawks have no problem scoring. Especially since Trae Young is not alone in this register, with Dejounte Murray who remains on the best average of his career (22.5 points), or even Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Andre Hunter capable of bringing their fifteen points. A team adept at shooting, Atlanta also knows how to alternate, whether in provoking fouls (5th in the number of free throws scored per game) or offensive rebounding (3rd in the NBA).
The weak point
– An absent defense. The first full season of Quin Snyder, who nevertheless knew how to do it with the Jazz, changed nothing. The Hawks are easy prey for any defense in the league. 27th defensive rating, the Georgia team even falls to the bottom of the opposing “real shooting percentage” ranking, which notably adjusts the value of 3-point shots and free throws. And it is not their catastrophic performance in Indiana in the register (defeat 157-115) which will reassure…
THE KEY TO THE MATCH
– Rhythm. Between the experience of the Bulls and the young legs of the Hawks, it's a bit like two rooms, two atmospheres. Chicago relies on one of the lowest rhythms (number of possessions per game) in the league (28th/30), to better hit in the half court with DeRozan or Vucevic. The Hawks are flying at full speed, the 5th in the NBA and do not hesitate to increase the tempo in transition, as well as in more “calm” play. The team that succeeds in dictating its law will take a first step to at least make its life easier.
REGULAR SEASON
Chicago 2-1
December 26: Chicago – Atlanta (118-113)
February 12: Atlanta – Chicago (126-136)
April 1: Chicago – Atlanta (101-113)
VERDICT
Bulls, as it is difficult to really trust these Hawks, sometimes sparkling, often frustrating. Chicago seems to have a game more suited to playoff games. The winner will still have a big piece waiting for them anyway, with the winner of the Sixers – Heat match as the main course to consider the playoffs.
HOURLY
At 3:30 a.m., Wednesday night to Thursday.
