Top scorers face off in Chicago-Atlanta matchup

Updated Dec. 28, 2021 3:02 a.m. ET

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Atlanta Hawks (15-18, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (21-10, second in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Two of the NBA's top scorers, DeMar DeRozan and Trae Young, meet when Chicago and Atlanta hit the court. DeRozan is fifth in the NBA averaging 27.0 points per game and Young ranks fourth in the league averaging 27.3 points per game.

The Bulls have gone 12-7 against Eastern Conference teams. Chicago ranks third in the league shooting 37.8% from downtown, led by Alfonzo McKinnie shooting 50.0% from 3-point range.

The Hawks have gone 9-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta averages 11.8 turnovers per game and is 9-4 when committing fewer turnovers than opponents.

The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Bulls defeated the Hawks 130-118 in their last meeting on Dec. 28. DeRozan led the Bulls with 35 points, and Cameron Reddish led the Hawks with 33 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: DeRozan is averaging 27 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Bulls. Zach LaVine is averaging 29.1 points over the last 10 games for Chicago.

Young is scoring 27.3 points per game with 3.9 rebounds and 9.3 assists for the Hawks. John Collins is averaging 20.4 points and 8.4 rebounds over the past 10 games for Atlanta.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 8-2, averaging 114.7 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 5.9 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.

Hawks: 3-7, averaging 110.6 points, 44.6 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 6.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.8 points.

INJURIES: Bulls: Derrick Jones Jr.: out (hamstring), Tony Bradley: out (health and safety protocols), Patrick Williams: out (left wrist), Lonzo Ball: out (health and safety protocols), Alfonzo McKinnie: out (health and safety protocols), Alex Caruso: out (foot).

Hawks: De'Andre Hunter: out (wrist), Onyeka Okongwu: out (health and safety protocols), John Collins: out (health and safety protocols), Danilo Gallinari: out (health and safety protocols), Delon Wright: out (health protocols), Wes Iwundu: out (health and safety protocols), Lou Williams: out (health and safety protocols), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot: out (health and safety protocols), Solomon Hill: out for season (hamstring), Kevin Huerter: out (health protocols), Sharife Cooper: out (health protocols).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by

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DeMar DeRozan

Chicago Bulls

Trae Young

National Basketball Association

Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

Sharife Cooper

Onyeka Okongwu

Cam Reddish

Solomon Hill

DeMar DeRozan

Zach LaVine

Kevin Huerter

Delon Wright

Danilo Gallinari

Alex Caruso

Lonzo Ball

Derrick Jones Jr.

De'Andre Hunter

Tony Bradley

John Collins

Patrick Williams

Chicago Bulls

Atlanta Hawks