The Chicago Bulls will attempt to steal sole possession of the top spot in the Eastern Conference tonight, if only by a half game, as they take on the Atlanta Hawks. This evening's battle between the two playoff bound squads is scheduled to tip off at 8:00pm ET at the Philips Arena; coverage of the game will be provided by TNT. NBA Point Spreads have the Bulls listed as a -4.5 against the spread road favorite and the game total set at 181.
Chicago shook off its first divisional loss of the season, a 108-115 overtime setback at Indiana, by destroying the 
Sacramento Kings 132-92 last night at the United Center.
Derrick Rose, who dropped 42 points on Sunday against the Pacers, had plenty of offensive help yesterday evening as eight Bulls scored in double figures. Chicago took advantage of the Kings woeful defense (sixth in the league in points per game), shooting 61.3 percent for the game, including a 12-for-17 effort from three point range.
Rose and Kyle Korver, who downed 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, each scored 18 points. Carlos Boozer, who missed the Bulls last five games with a sprained ankle, scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds in his return to the lineup.
Chicago's win over Sacramento improved its record to 50-19 on the season, leaving it in a tie with Boston, which beat the Knicks 96-86 last night in New York, in the race for the one seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks, losers in six of their last nine games, snapped a two game skid on Sunday with a 104-96 win against the Pistons. Atlanta had a hot hand in its victory as well, as six of the eight Hawks that saw game action scored in double figures (37-of-70 from the field 52.9 percent).
Al Horford led the team with 18 points while Joe Johnson and Josh Smith each added 17. Horford, who will match up against former Florida teammate Joakim Noah this evening, also grabbed 10 boards and dished out six assists in the victory.
Atlanta, at 40-30, currently owns the fifth spot in the East; it has a 4.5 game lead on the sixth place 76ers with just 12 games left to play.
The Hawks, despite a 76-94 loss at Chicago on March 11th, have been a major thorn in the Bulls' side of late. Atlanta has won eight of its last 10 against Chicago and it has won five in a row against the Bulls at the Philips Arena.
Bulls vs Hawks NBA Point Spreads March 22nd, 2011:
Chicago Bulls -4.5 (-110), Over 181 (-110), -200 (Moneyline)
Atlanta Hawks +4.5 (-110), Under 181 (-110), +170 (Moneyline)
