Hawks fast start sputters in 129-122 loss to the Bulls

Career nights for Taurean Prince and Mike Muscala were not enough for the Hawks against Chicago

The Atlanta Hawks jumped out early on the Bulls at Philips Arena Sunday afternoon. The Hawks were up as much as 24-8 and finished the 1st quarter with a 34-20 lead capped off by Mike Muscala 3PT at the buzzer.

The Bulls, however, would recover as they would go on a 21-5 run to eventually take a 49-41 lead. Atlanta would go on a run late as Muscala hits another three to put the Hawks in striking distance ending the half with a 53-50 defecit.

Lauri Markkanen would start the 3rd quarter hot and Atlanta would find themselves down by 9 until another late run by the Hawks, which included a 4-point play from Andrew White would put the Hawks within three.

The Bulls would start strong again in the final quarter as they would balloon their lead to 12. Taurean Prince would catch fire late to finish with a career high 38 points (which is the most by a Hawk player in the past 10 years) but it was too litte too late. Chicago would ice the game with free throws and go onto win 129-122. Zach Lavine and Bobby Portis each lead the Bulls with 21 points.

A Painful loss for the Hawks

And by pain, I mean literally. Jaylen Morris, who had signed his 2nd 10-Day contract with the team, would leave the game with an ankle injury. Kent Bazemore scored only 6 points until he joined Morris in the locker room as he suffered a right knee sprain. Dennis Schroder, DeAndre Bembry, and Malcolm Delaney didn’t play on Sunday.

Have a Night

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 11, 2018

Along with Taurean Prince’s 38 points, Mike Muscala would have a career game ending with 19 points.

Get UP rook!!! pic.twitter.com/6lBtpSjFv4

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 11, 2018

John Collins made his quota of jams for the crowd as he finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Josh Magette made the most of his 22 minutes on the floor as he scored 7 points and dropped 8 assists, showing to be one of the undersung passers in basketball.

Isaiah Taylor would also get in the assists game with 8 as he played through a left ankle sprain.

Flying through the Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder come to Philips arena Tuesday Night. Russell Westbrook is coming off a triple double night in a 104-94 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Both teams met on Dec. 22nd as Westbrook hit a game winning three as the Hawks fell 120-117 in OKC.