'We're not giving ourselves a great shot'
The Bulls won't be mathematically eliminated from the playoff race if they lose tonight in Atlanta.
But a defeat would drop them 4 games behind the Hawks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 10 left to play.
In other words, lose tonight and the Bulls might as well recall Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons from the D-League and plop them in the starting lineup along with Demetris Nichols and Tyrus Thomas. The playoff chase is pretty much over.
"We're not giving ourselves a great shot," guard Larry Hughes said after Wednesday's 121-99 loss at Philadelphia. "But we're definitely going to fight 'til the end. 'Til they say we're not in, we're going to try to win as many games as possible."
"We've just got to keep plugging away," coach Jim Boylan said. "It's a game against another competitor. We've got to play them on their home court. It will be a tough challenge, but we'll be ready."
The Bulls took Thursday off after playing the previous two nights. The Bulls defeated Atlanta 103-94 at the United Center on Tuesday and have won 13 of the last 14 games against the Hawks.
A win tonight also would give the Bulls a 3-1 edge in the season series, which means they could win any two-way tiebreaker with Atlanta.
The only good news for the Bulls to come out of Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia is the streaking Sixers still have games left against the three other teams competing for the eighth playoff spot, including two dates with Atlanta next week.
As of Thursday morning, New Jersey was a half-game behind the Hawks in ninth place, while Indiana was 2½ games back in 10th.
Bibby injury not serious: Atlanta guard Mike Bibby injured his left thumb in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's win over Milwaukee, but an MRI exam showed no major damage. He's expected to play tonight against the Bulls, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Earlier this season when he played for Sacramento, Bibby missed the first 36 games because of a torn ligament in his left thumb.
Bibby has averaged 13.4 points in 22 games since being traded to Atlanta. He scored 18 points when the Hawks lost to the Bulls on Tuesday.
Bull horns: Guard Shannon Brown has averaged 28 points in four games with the D-League's Iowa Energy. Forward Cedric Simmons is averaging 13 points and 5.3 rebounds. … With 16 points Wednesday at Philadelphia, Andres Nocioni produced his highest-scoring game since scoring 20 on March 4 against Memphis.
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena, 6:30 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Bulls have won 13 of their last 14 games against the Hawks. But Jan. 13 in Atlanta, the Bulls were basically run off the court at the start of the game, falling behind 38-22 by the end of the first quarter. They never recovered in a 105-84 loss.
Players to watch: Guard Joe Johnson has averaged 24.3 points in three games against the Bulls. On Tuesday at the United Center, forward Josh Childress led the Hawks with 22 points.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
-- Mike McGraw