Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

The winner of tonight’s game between the Bulls and the Hawks will have their season still alive, while the loser will head into the offseason.

Atlanta is 3-0 all-time in the play-in tournament. They won games against Charlotte and Cleveland two years ago and then lost to the No. 1 Miami Heat in five games. Last year, Atlanta got their revenge against Miami, beating them in the first playoff game, and then losing to the No. 2 Boston Celtics in six games. The Hawks were 1-2 against Chicago this season.

For Atlanta, they will be missing Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and Saddiq Bey. Ayo Dosunmu and Andre Drummond are questionable for the Bulls.

So who wins tonight’s matchup and sets up another win-or-go-home scenario with the loser of Philadelphia and Miami?

The Hawks have what it takes to be one of the best offenses in the NBA, but they have not really found that groove yet since Young has returned. Now, Atlanta has been pressing and facing a must-win scenario like they will tonight and I expect their offense to perform better because they are going to need them too. I think the offense is going to be the key tonight for Atlanta.

In their last matchup on April 1st, the Hawks shot 19-40 from three and that was the biggest difference in the game and why they won by 12 points. Atlanta had huge quarters in the 2nd and third to be able to pull away from the Bulls.

Atlanta is not going to have Vit Krejci in this game and he went 6-6 from three in the last game vs Chicago. Atlanta opted to not convert his two-way contract and will not have him, which could prove to be crucial. One thing to note about this game is that Atlanta is going to be very small without Johnson, Bey, Okongwu, or Krejci.

Trae Young has been awesome in all three play-in games that he has played in and overall, has been a solid playoff performer (though the play-in is not recognized as the playoffs). Outside of the series against the Heat two years ago, Young has played well in every playoff series/play-in game that he has been in. He is still working his way back from being injured, but I think Young is going to be asked to play big minutes tonight vs Chicago.

The other guy who will be playing huge minutes will be Dejounte Murray and I would not be surprised if the Hawks always have one of Young or Murray on the court at all times. Murray had to play huge minutes with Young out, but I don’t think that Quin Snyder is going to play either Kobe Bufkin or Trent Forrest tonight.

While Young and Murray might be the Hawks’s best players in this game, De’Andre Hunter might be the most important Hawk for tonight and if the Hawks find a way to advance past this game. As mentioned earlier, Atlanta is going to be lacking size coming into this game and they are going to need Hunter to stay out of foul trouble. He is also going to be the team’s best defender and will spend plenty of time guarding DeMar DeRozan tonight, who might play all 48 minutes for the Bulls. Hunter can also be a big contributor on offense with his three-point shooting.

Bogdan Bogdanovic is likely going to be in the starting lineup and he has been one of the best players for the Hawks this season. He will be very important on the offensive end and will likely play a huge amount of minutes tonight.

Clint Capela was rested in the Hawks season finale vs the Pacers, but Atlanta will need him in this game. Both Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond (if he plays) are good rebounders and can beat the Hawks up in that area. Capela will be huge in terms of defense and rebounding and while the Hawks might not want to play him 35+ minutes, he might have too.

The Hawks’s rotation is the most interesting thing about them tonight. I think the starters are all going to play at least 30-35 minutes at worst, but who will provide the Hawks with bench relief? I think Bruno Fernando is certainly going to get minutes, but how many will be based on his performance. Fernando can bring energy and offense to some games, but he struggles on defense and the Bulls are going to go after him when he is on the floor. If he is holding up on that end of the court, I could see Fernando getting 20 minutes, that way Capela is not playing massive minutes. If he struggles defensively, Snyder will not have another choice but to play a lot of Capela.

I think Snyder will also opt to play Garrison Matthews and Wesley Matthews. Wesley Matthews is no longer on the injury report and I think Snyder is going to rely upon his veteran experience. Garrison Matthews is the Hawks’s best three-point shooter and they will need his offense in this game. He is not the best defender though and will also get picked on when he is on the court.

I don’t think Snyder is going to play Bufkin or Forrest and the other guys who he could turn to are AJ Griffin, Mouhamed Gueye, and Seth Lundy. Griffin has played in the last two games after coming back from injury, Gueye has seen his first actual minutes as part of the rotation, and Lundy has barely played for the Hawks this season. Of all of the players listed above, I actually think Gueye is the most likely to see minutes. He has athleticism and length and could be used to guard DeRozan if needed, but he just does not have a lot of experience.

Griffin could be the best offensive option of the three, but he has defensive struggles and if he is not hitting his shots, it could be tough to rely on him out there. Keep an eye on what Snyder wants to do tonight.

For the Bulls, DeRozan is going to be the key tonight, but don’t forget about Coby White. White has been one of the most improved players in the NBA this season, but only shot 8-21 in the last game vs the Hawks. I would expect Murray to guard him tonight.

Either Dosunmu or Alex Caruso can get hot from three and have an effect on the game. Where Caruso is likely going to make his biggest impact is on the defensive end of the floor, where I expect he will spend a fair amount of time guarding Trae Young. Caruso is one of the best defenders in the NBA and will give Young all kinds of trouble, but Young will be looking for ways to shake him off and find ways to make an impact on the game.

Look for the Hawks to put Nikola Vucevic in a lot of pick-and-rolls tonight and make him work on the defensive end. If Drummond does not play, Vucevic is the only center the team really has and will have to play a lot. Even if Drummond does play, the Hawks will attack him on the other end of the floor as well.

The Bulls bench is a huge question mark in this game, especially if Drummond does not play. The starters will likely see huge minutes for Chicago.

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip-off time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: United Center, Chicago, IL

Where to Watch: ESPN

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be underdogs on the road tonight, as they are currently 3.5 point underdogs according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 219.5.

Predictions

If the Hawks were healthy, I would feel pretty good about picking them to win this game. I still think they can win this game, but it is going to be tough. They will have to be sharp offensively, keep Hunter out of foul trouble, have Trae Young be the best player on the floor, and get something out of their bench tonight. DeRozan could have a huge game tonight, but I think Coby White might be the most important player for Chicago tonight. Atlanta has success in these types of games, with Trae Young typically giving huge performances. He has another one tonight and the Braves find a way to get to Friday night and keep their season alive.

Final Score: Atlanta 113, Chicago 108 (ATL +3.5, Over)

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Related Topics:Atlanta Hawks Chicago Bulls Featured Hawks vs Bulls Hawks vs Bulls Predictions NBA NBA Play-In Tournament Trae Young

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta lawyer’s bond eased ahead of murder retrial

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta lawyer’s bond eased ahead of murder retrial

Metro Atlanta

Bryan Schmitt is accused of killing a real estate developer in a road rage incident.

In this 2024 file photo, Bryan Keith Schmitt talks to attorney Don Samuel in Fulton Superior Court. Schmitt’s bond conditions were relaxed Thursday as he awaits retrial in September. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

An Atlanta-area lawyer awaiting retrial in the killing of a real estate developer has had his bond conditions eased over pleas from the victim’s family to keep him confined to Cobb County.

Bryan Schmitt, whose law license is suspended, is charged with murder and other crimes in the 2019 death of 60-year-old Hamid Jahangard. Prosecutors accused Schmitt of deliberately ramming Jahangard with his Mercedes during a road rage incident.

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Journalist Rosie Manins is a legal affairs reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Police investigate deadly shooting at Glenrose Heights convenience store

Published

14 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta Police investigate deadly shooting at Glenrose Heights convenience store

Police investigate a deadly shooting at 8 Cleveland Avenue SW in Atlanta on March 19, 2026. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

ATLANTA – A large crowd gathered outside a convenience store in Atlanta’s Glenrose Heights neighborhood after a man was gunned down on the sidewalk.

What we know:

The shooting happened around 7:20 p.m. near the corner of Cleveland Avenue SE and Macon Drive SW in front of the 24/7 Food Mart.

According to the Atlatna Police Department, responding officers found the man down on the sidewalk. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Atlanta police remained on the scene late into the evening collecting evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and speaking to witnesses.

What we don’t know:

The victim’s name has not been released, and it is not yet clear if anyone has been taken into custody.

What you can do:

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Atlanta Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta.

The Source: The details in this article come from the Atlanta Police Department and a FOX 5 Atlanta crew at the scene.

SW AtlantaNewsCrime and Public Safety

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Atlanta, GA

How do analysts grade Atlanta’s first wave of free agent signings?

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

How do analysts grade Atlanta’s first wave of free agent signings?

“We need to have a clearer vision on offense, defense, and teams and how we are going to play. Have a coaching staff that understands that clearly. A GM who understands clearly. How do you build players, bring them into the roster that match that system and that philosophy, and hold people accountable for their results and their decision-making and their performance.”

In an article published four days after former head coach Raheem Morris and former general manager Terry Fontenot were officially relieved of their duties with the Atlanta Falcons, now-retired Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta Falcons writer D. Orlando Ledbetter reported that owner Arthur Blank stated the following regarding his takeaways from the outside consulting reports that shaped his decision to let the pair go after the 2025 season.

As you read the statement over again, remember the initial pairing of Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot. Remember the revolving door of defensive coaches and coordinators, from Dean Pees to Ryan Nielsen to Jimmy Lake, culminating in Jeff Ulbrich.

Ulbrich getting what he did out of the young core he had last season was a necessity for the Falcons to be competent, because the two-pronged approach to the quarterback position had failed to gain the short-term success the Cousins signing was supposed to elicit, while also not solidifying the long-term answer to the position, the shocking Michael Penix, Jr. pick was supposed to give.

A full reset was necessary. A gutting of how this team has been run since the hiring of Fontenot in 2021 was needed, and that started with the hiring of Matt Ryan. Then, with the subsequent hirings of Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham, the Falcons are on the road to recovery after a tumultuous five years that ended without a winning record and a dismal 37-48 record (43.52%).

Now, with limited resources and only five picks in the upcoming draft, Ryan, Stefanski, and Cunningham have looked to make the most of this first year as they look to clear the Cousins conundrum off the books and look toward potentially competing in a still-down NFC South in 2026.

That leads us into today’s article: Experts around the NFL sphere had their thoughts on Atlanta’s first week of free agency under new management. As Atlanta brought in Tua Tagovailoa and answered a few key questions (while ignoring a few, as well), there were a few grades that the Falcons brass have earned from pundits from various sites.

We average their initial grades and give the Falcons a consensus first-wave grade as Atlanta continues to go bargain shopping in the next wave of free agency.

Tagovailoa was not good in 2025, but the cost is important in this deal. Due to the nature of his release from the Miami Dolphins, the Falcons don’t have to spend big here, and the potential upside is huge. Tagovailoa earned PFF overall grades of 81.9 and 86.9 in 2022 and 2023, respectively. If he can return to that level, then this is an absolute steal for Atlanta. If he can’t, then it’s a low-cost move that doesn’t prevent the Falcons from seeing what Michael Penix Jr. looks like again in 2026.

The Falcons signing Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year deal makes total sense: Atlanta doesn’t have to change the offense when either he or Michael Penix Jr. are hurt because they’re both left-handed.

Yes, Tagovailoa is probably washed after throwing a career-high 15 interceptions in tandem with his lengthy injury history. This offseason sets up Michael Penix Jr. for a put up or shut up type of season. The offensive nucleus of All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, All-Pro tight end Kyle Pitts and former top 10 pick wide receiver Drake London with Kevin Stefanski calling plays will reveal if Penix is worth investing in beyond his rookie deal.

Atlanta doesn’t have a 2026 first-round pick, but this is a team that could have won the NFC South with a more accurate kicker. Losing three underrated players in Allgeier, Onyemata and Elliss hurts, but the Falcons are a team that could level up with even slightly above average quarterback play. They have to eat their medicine from a salary cap perspective after cutting Kirk Cousins, but they’re equipped to challenge for the NFC South crown in 2026 before big decisions will be able to be made in 2027 with more cap space and a first-round pick.

Atlanta’s start to free agency has been a bit of a head-scratcher, with several moves that feel more like short-term patches than clear long-term solutions. The most surprising addition came at quarterback, where the Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. While the move adds competition under center, it’s far from a definitive answer at the position moving forward.

The Falcons are also bringing in wideouts Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. Both players can contribute, but neither currently profiles as a clear-cut No. 2 option alongside Drake London. At tight end, the Falcons welcomed back Austin Hooper on a one-year contract, while Kyle Pitts was kept in the fold via the franchise tag.

Defensively, Atlanta focused on strengthening the front seven. Edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Cameron Thomas were added to provide rotational depth and boost the pass rush. Meanwhile, linebacker Christian Harris could play a key role in filling the void left by the departure of Kaden Elliss, giving the Falcons another athletic presence in the middle of the defense.

As of right now, the Falcons’ biggest signing by contract value goes to Jahan Dotson, on a two-year, $17 million contract. Since 2022, Dotson’s .8 yards per route run and .1 targets per route run both rank dead last among wideouts with at least 1,000 routes. Olamide Zaccheaus doesn’t bring much more to the table either. Tua Tagovailoa should be their most impactful signing, even if he doesn’t cost the most. Because of offset language in his contract, Tua is all but free for the Falcons. With Michael Penix recovering from a knee injury, Tagovailoa could be in line for a handful of starts to open the year. Tua’s time as a long-term starter appears to be at an end, but he’s a great backup option, especially when his salary is the veteran minimum.

The Falcons had to address quarterback due to Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery (and his middling play), and they moved quickly to sign Tua Tagovailoa. He was cheap and he has been good in the past, but expectations should be low. There weren’t any big signings while running back Tyler Allgeier and cornerback Dee Alford signed elsewhere. They did hold onto Kyle Pitts by giving him the franchise tag, but that and signing Tagovailoa is tough to get too excited about.