The Atlanta Hawks will aim to end their losing streak against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday when the teams meet for the third time this season.
The Bulls have won the first two matchups — 125-113 in Atlanta on Nov. 9 and 136-122 in Chicago on Nov. 22. Chicago has also won the last three games played in Atlanta.
Both teams are struggling through the holiday season. Atlanta has won six of its last 10 games, including a 117-104 win over Minnesota on Monday, which ended a three-game losing streak. Chicago is 5-5 in its last 10 games and coming off a 112-91 loss to Milwaukee on Monday.
“(Monday) was a good turnaround,” said Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels. “We have to defend. Defense is a must, and we came locked in for four quarters. The season is going by pretty quick. We’ve played 30 games already and our bodies are feeling pretty good. We need to push our record, get a few more wins on the board.”
Daniels, who was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason, has been a pleasant surprise for the Hawks. The Australian, known as “The Great Barrier Thief,” leads the NBA with 3.2 steals per game and had eight steals in the win over the Timberwolves. He also averages 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
“It’s just about reading the game, knowing where the ball is going to go and then hacking,” Daniels said. “I just be hacking.”
The Hawks also benefited from the return of Trae Young, who missed the previous game against Memphis with a bruised heel. Young scored 10 of his 29 points against Minnesota in the first quarter. The Hawks have struggled to manage the offense without him, as he leads the league with 12.0 assists per game.
“We wanted to come out with a different energy, different attitude,” Young said.
The Bulls are second in the NBA for 3-point shooting attempts, averaging 44.0 per game. They have made 36.3% of them, but Coby White has struggled, shooting just 27.8% (20-for-72) from 3-point range over the past nine games.
“I get cold, but I ain’t never got cold like this, for as many games as it’s been,” White said. “I maybe had two or three game or four (game stretches) and then kind of get hot and get back in rhythm. I’m a career 38-39 percent 3-point shooter, so it will all even out. I ain’t worried about it.”
Leading scorer Zach LaVine (21.7 points per game) expressed his support for White.
“Coby plays hard every game. I don’t think that messes with his mindset at all. I think we’ll all be OK.”
The Bulls have been without Josh Giddey (11.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists) for the past three games due to a sprained right ankle. They also played their last game without Lonzo Ball, who was out due to a non-COVID illness.
Atlanta has been missing versatile reserve Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was out with a lower leg bruise, and backup center Onyeka Okongwu, who is dealing with left knee soreness.
