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Atlanta Hawks to play Bulls heading into All-Star Break

By John Buhler

Jan 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) battles with Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) for a rebound during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bulls 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) battles with Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) for a rebound during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bulls 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks will play their final game before the All-Star Break when they take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center Wednesday night at 8:00 PM.

The Atlanta Hawks have had a day off after losing both games in a back-to-back with the Orlando Magic and will play their final game before the 2016 NBA All-Star Break when they face the Chicago Bulls in the United Center Wednesday night at 8:00 PM ET.

Atlanta enters Wednesday night’s game with the Bulls at the United Center in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 30-24 record. The Hawks hold a half game lead over the Miami Heat in the Southeast Division. In their last 10 games, the Hawks are 4-6. Atlanta is 13-15 away from Philips Arena this season.

Chicago has fallen on hard times in recent weeks, as the Bulls are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-24 record. They are in third place in the Central Division, 10 games back of the first place Cleveland Cavaliers. Chicago has lost three straight and are 3-7 in their last 10 games. However, they do boast a winning record at home, going 16-9 at the United Center in 2015-16.

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While the Atlanta Hawks lost back-to-back games in soul crushing fashion to a sub-par division rival in the Orlando Magic, Chicago received tough news Tuesday that its best player will miss the next three to four weeks, as All-Star starting shooting guard Jimmy Butler is dealing with a knee strain.

Injuries have destroyed the Chicago Bulls over the last five years. They have robbed point guard Derrick Rose of his best years as a player, turned former small forward Luol Deng into an also-ran, center Joakim Noah can’t seem that stay on the floor, and small forward Mike Dunleavy hasn’t played this season.

In a year where many thought that the Chicago Bulls would stand as the biggest challenger to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East, who’s to say that the Bulls will even sniff a top four seed in this year’s Eastern Conference Playoffs?

Perhaps the Atlanta Hawks can put together one last solid performance before heading into the All-Star Game against a Bulls team that is gradually losing its grip on relevancy in the East. Atlanta certainly will need to do a better job in closing out games than they did against the Magic in the second half.

Next: Atlanta Hawks: Is an NBA trade deadline deal inevitable?

Maybe the team can go into the All-Star Break on a high note by beating the Chicago Bulls when they are in a bit of a quagmire. Let’s Go Hawks!

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