Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls | NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Playoffs Game 5 Preview, Odds, Free Pick | Sportsbookbuzz.com

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Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 8:00 pm EST on TNT

Point spread: Chicago Bulls -9
Money Line: Atlanta Hawks +380 / Chicago Bulls -480
Over/Under: 181

This best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls is all knotted-up at two games apiece and now shifts back to the United Center in Chicago this Tuesday night for a crucial Game 5. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on TNT.

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Atlanta picked the perfect time to snap a nine-game home losing streak in the conference semifinals with a huge 100-88 victory on Sunday night as a 3 ½-point underdog. The total went ‘over’ the 178 ½ point line. The Hawks are now 3-1 both straight-up and against the spread at home in this season’s playoffs.

Josh Smith and Jeff Teague were the hero’s of Game 4 with a combined 37 points. Smith added a game-high 16 rebounds and eight assists in the win and Teague raised his scoring average to 16 points a game since taking over for the injured Kirk Hinrich. Joe Johnson also had a big night with a team-high 24 points and five assists.

The main difference for Atlanta on Sunday as opposed to its back-to-back losses last week, was its ability to compete with Chicago under the boards. The Hawks were outrebounded 105 to 73 in the first three games but managed to pull down 36 boards verse 37 for the Bulls. They also did a better job shooting the ball; going 40-for-81 from the field and 4-for-11 from three-point range.

Chicago appeared to be in total control of this series after an 86-73 victory in Game 3 as a nine-point home favorite followed by a 99-82 win as a 2 ½-point road favorite in last Friday’s Game 3. Sunday’s loss dropped the Bulls to 2-2 both SU and ATS on the road in the postseason. Fortunately, they are 4-1 SU (2-3 ATS) on their home court.

You cannot fault Derrick Rose for Sunday’s loss as he once again led the team in points and assists. He put up 34 points and dished out 10 assists in a losing effort, which were both higher than his playoff average of 29.4 points and 7.6 assists. The one bright spot for Chicago was the play of Carlos Boozer, who has been extremely quiet this postseason. He was the team’s second leading scorer with 18 points and added six rebounds as well.

The Bulls shot 41 percent from the floor in Game 4 which was close to their playoff average, but went just 3-for-16 from beyond the arc. They completed 77.8 percent of their attempts from the free-throw line, which was slightly less that their 81.2 postseason average. Another problem was the fact that Chicago was outscored 56-40 in the paint.

Atlanta is 3-2 ATS in its last five games on the road and 7-3 ATS in its 10 playoff games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in six of the 10 games.

Chicago is 2-3 ATS in its last five home games and 4-5 ATS in its nine games this postseason. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of its last five games.

Head-to-head, the Bulls won two of three both straight-up and ATS in the regular season and are now 2-2 SU and ATS in this series. The total has gone ‘over’ in seven of their last 11 meetings and in three of the four games in this series.

Look for Chicago to successfully defend its home court on Tuesday night, but it will not be easy as the Hawks cover with the nine points in a game that stays ‘under’ the total.

The odds makers have the Chicago Bulls as a -9 point favorite with an over/under of 181.

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