Bulls vs Hawks: Game Thread – Chicago Goes for Season Sweep Over Atlanta

Feb 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) celebrates with shooting guard Kirk Hinrich (12) against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Bulls defeated the Hawks 107-103. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Hawks got Kyle Korver back on Monday after significant time missed and snapped their six-game losing skid in his return, and will look to put another check in the win column tonight when they host the playoff-bound Bulls.

Korver was out for six games — all losses — with lingering back spasms and made his return two nights ago at home versus the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s obviously a huge part to Atlanta’s success, as they’re are 1-9 without him this season. You could tell he wasn’t 100% on Monday and his stat line reflected as such with only 11 points on 16.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 30 percent overall. His season-averages are 12 points per game on 48 percent from behind the arc and 48.3 percent overall — way above his marks against the 76ers.

Luckily, the Hawks were carried to victory on the backs on Paul Millsap and Lou Williams, who combined for 50 points. Millsap had a monster game with 28 points and 17 rebounds, while Lou finished with 22 points, along with five rebounds and five assists.

The win helped Atlanta maintain their one-game edge over New York for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. They’re in position to extend the gap to two games with a win and a Knicks loss. However, if Atlanta losses to Chicago and New York wins at home vs. cross-borough rival Brooklyn tonight, both teams would be tied in the standings.

Chicago, meanwhile, is currently tied for 3rd place with Toronto, who lost Saturday at Miami.

The Bulls are coming off two straight wins over the Celtics in a back-to-back set. They’ll looking for their third straight win tonight, as well as a four-game season sweep over the Hawks.

Quick Facts

Who?: Chicago Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks

What?: Eastern Conference Showdown (Game #74, Home Game #36)

Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)

When?: Wednesday, April 2, 2014 – 7:30 PM (ET)

How?: SportSouth HD TV & 92.9 FM

Probable Starters

Atlanta Hawks:

PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Kyle Korver | SF: DeMarre Carroll | PF: Paul Millsap | C: Pero Antic

Chicago Bulls:

PG: Kirk Hinrich | SG: Jimmy Butler | SF: Mike Dunleavy | PF: Carlos Boozer | C: Joakim Noah

Injury Report

Atlanta Hawks: Gustavo Ayon (right shoulder surgery), Al Horford (right pectoral muscle surgery) and John Jenkins (lower back surgery).

Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose (right knee surgery) is out.

Current Records, Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold

Records: Chicago Bulls (42-32) / Atlanta Hawks (32-41)

Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Won 1 | HOME: Won 1 | ROAD: Lost 3                       Chicago Bulls –> OVERALL: Won 2 | HOME: Won 1 | ROAD: Won 1

Home/Away Records: Hawks are (21-14) at home / Bulls are (18-18) on the road.

Atlanta Hawks: Lukewarm. The Hawks finally snapped a six-game losing streak against the 76ers, but more importantly got back starting shooting guard Kyle Korver and are getting healthy at the right time.

Chicago Bulls: Hot. The Bulls have won two in a row, and four of their last five overall.

Series Notes/Past Series Notes

The Hawks host the Bulls for the second time this season in the fourth-and-final contest between the clubs. Chicago won the first two meetings at home, 91-84 on 1/4 and 100-85 on 2/11 before a 107-103 road triumph on 2/25. Jeff Teague is averaging 18.0 points on .511 FG% in three games against the Bulls this season. Joakim Noah is averaging 16.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists versus Atlanta this season. Chicago has won five straight over the Hawks, including two-in-a-row in Atlanta. Atlanta’s last victory over the Bulls was a 92-75 home win on 12/22/12. Chicago leads the all-time series 121-102, but the Hawks hold a 61-48 edge at home.

LAST MEETING — BULLS 107, HAWKS 103 — ATLANTA, GA 2/25/14

The Hawks jumped out to a 26-12 lead and held a 30-20 edge after one. The Bulls opened the second quarter on a 19-7 run helping them to a 54-51 lead at the break. Atlanta went back on top early in the third but Chicago used a 15-5 run on their way to an 80-75 lead heading to the final frame. A seesaw fourth quarter saw the Hawks reclaim the lead (103-101) with just over one minutes to play. The Bulls responded, getting defensive stops and former Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich scored the final six points of the game (6-7 FTs) to seal the win. Jeff Teague led all scorers with 26 points (also seven assists). Shelvin Mack scored 17 (career-high-tying 8-14 FGs), Kyle Korver 16, DeMarre Carroll 13, with Mike Scott and Lou Williams adding 12 apiece off the bench. Elton Brand added a game-high 13 rebounds. Mike Dunleavy led seven Bulls in double-figures with 22 points. Joakim Noah (20 points/12 rebounds) and Carlos Boozer (17 points/11 boards) had double-doubles. Atlanta knocked down 14-33 3FGs (.424) while Chicago hit 8-24 from distance (.333), but the Bulls made 25-29 FTs (.862) compared to Atlanta’s 13-16 from the charity stripe (.813).

Common Threads

Al Horford and Joakim Noah played together at University of Florida from 2004-07, winning back-to-back national championships. Kyle Korver played with the Bulls from 2010-12. Elton Brand was with Chicago from 1999-2001. Cartier Martin played six games with the Bulls earlier this year. Kirk Hinrich (part of 2010-11 through 2012) and Nazr Mohammed (part of 2000-01 through part of 2003-04) are both former Hawks. Korver (2007-10), Paul Millsap (2006-10) and Carlos Boozer played together in Utah. Martin and D.J. Augustin were teammates with the Bobcats in 2008-09. Gustavo Ayon and Mike Dunleavy teamed-up with the Bucks for part of last season. Martin and Hinrich were teammates with Washington for part of 2010-11.

–

Information was used from the Hawks and Bulls official gamenotes

Don’t forget to “Like” the Soaring Down South Facebook page and “Follow” us on Twitter @SoaringDwnSouth to get up-to-date Atlanta Hawks/NBA news, rumors and analysis conveniently in your news feeds.