Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls Game Preview: The Game That Starts It All…

Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls Preview

The Good Guys’ Lineup:

The Bad Guys’ Lineup:

Who?: Atlanta Hawks (44 – 38) @ Chicago Bulls (62 – 20) [Their regular season records]

What?: Series is still tied since series hasn’t started yet…

When?: May 2nd, 2011; 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Where?: United Center (Chicago, IL)

How?: TNT(TV) & 99X FM(97.9 radio)

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Injuries:
Chicago: Carlos Boozer (turf toe) is questionable.
Atlanta: Kirk Hinrich (hamstring) is out.

This is the start folks. The game that starts it all. Game 1. This game could be the deciding factor of the series. If you recall, the Hawks stole homecourt advantage from the Magic and they never lost it as the Hawks eventually won in Game 6 in Philips Arena. Same thing can happen here. Stealing homecourt advantage in the first game would greatly benefit the Hawks and it would put a lot of pressure on the Bulls for Game 2.

What (or who) to watch out for:

• Derrick Rose vs. Jeff Teague. Jeff Teague is in the spotlight now. This is his time to shine. He hasn’t gotten that many minutes all season long, and if there’s a time to prove yourself, it’s now, in the biggest stage. He’ll match up defensively and offensively against the league’s MVP, Derrick Rose. Can Teague slow him down and match Rose’s athleticism? Can Teague make Rose work on defense? Like I said, the faith (not all of it) of the Hawks lies in the hands of Teague.
• Josh Smith. He’ll match up with Boozer. Can Josh Smith play smart and take advantage of Boozer’s lack of defense or will he let Boozer off the hook by jacking up jumpshots and making bad decisions?
• Energy level. Who comes out of the gates better? Will the Bulls feed off the United Center’s crowd?
• Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Al Horford. AT LEAST one of the three needs to get it going. If all of them are struggling, kiss the Hawks’ chances of winning goodbye. I have a feeling it’s Joe Johnson that will show up tonight. Just a gut feeling, no heavy analysis.

Some things you need (or would want) to know:

• If you missed it, here’s my Hawks/Bulls Playoff Series Preview: Click here.
• If you missed it, here’s a Q&A I did with Chicago Bulls expert, Josh Hill: Click here.
• If you missed it, here’s my Hawks/Bulls Playoff Series Preview I did with @TheNoLookPass: Click here.
• The starting lineup without Hinrich is Teague/Johnson/Williams/Smith/Horford.
• The Hawks are 2-2 when using that lineup.
• Josh Smith needs 4 more defensive rebounds to put his career total to 3,000.
• The Bulls won the season series vs. Hawks, 2-1.
• The Hawks were outscored by a total of 48 points in the 3 games.
• The Hawks are currently riding a 15 game losing streak in the 2nd round.
• The last 2nd round win was in 1997 when the Hawks defeated the Chicago Bulls in Game 2.

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Prediction: I would love for the Hawks to win this one, but I’m sticking by my prediction of each team not winning any road games and winning all their home games. Bulls win. Prove me wrong!

Tags: 2011 NBA Playoffs, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Joe Johnson, Second Round 2011