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Top-seeded Bulls kick off East semis against Hawks

May 2, 2011 - 3:08 PM (Sports Network) - It's never a good idea to give any kind of bulletin board material to an opponent but don't kid yourself, the top-seeded Chicago Bulls are thrilled to see the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals and not Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.

Either way the Bulls were going to be the prohibitive favorites after finishing the regular season with an NBA-best 62-20 mark and dispatching lightly-regarded Indiana in five games during the first round. Howard, however, is a daunting task for any opponent and Chicago is likely elated that the Hawks were able to do the dirty work and eliminate the reigning three-time Defensive Player of the Year, along with his teammates.

Atlanta got the job done in Game 6 on Thursday when Joe Johnson finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, as the Hawks held on for an 84-81 victory.

"To come home and finish this thing was just very, very emotional," said first-year Hawks head coach Larry Drew. "From the start this morning when we had our shootaround, and just listening to the guys, obviously we did not want to have a Game 7."

The victory moved the Hawks into the second round for the third consecutive season and marked quite a contrast from last season when the Hawks and the Magic met in the East semifinals.

Orlando swept that one and recorded the largest victory margin in a four-game sweep in NBA playoff history, winning the series by a total of 101 points. The Hawks lost all four contests in that set by an average of over 25 points per contest and the closest they ever came in the series was a 98-84 setback in Game 4.

"Let's give the Hawks a lot of credit in winning this series," TNT analyst Kenny Smith said. "It was unreal the way they came out and battled. They did not shoot well this entire series but what they had was a game plan. 'We're not going to give up three-point shots' and they got this thing done."

However, while Atlanta advanced, it also lost point guard Kirk Hinrich to a "significant" right hamstring strain late in the fourth quarter. Hinrich, an ex-Bull, underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed the injury and could prevent him from playing in the series.

"He does look like he's walking better than he did the other night," Drew said of Hinrich at practice on Sunday. "Kirk's a tough guy. I never say never. But right now, it doesn't look like it."

Jamal Crawford, another former Bull, is expected to draw the all-important defensive assignment against presumptive NBA MVP Derrick Rose although Jeff Teague, a former first round pick out of Wake Forest, will also be relied on heavily and get the start in Game 1 at the United Center.

The Bulls weren't all that impressive against the Pacers until the Game 5 clincher on Tuesday when Rose scored 25 points and dished out six assists on a balky ankle, and Luol Deng filled the stat sheet with 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds, as Chicago cruised into the semifinals with a 116-89 victory.

It was just the second playoff series win for Chicago since the Michael Jordan-era.

Rose had an excused absence from practice Sunday for personal reasons and Carlos Boozer was limited as he continues to struggle with a case of turf toe. Both stars are expected to be in the lineup tonight for coach Tom Thibodeau, who was honored as NBA Coach of the Year on Sunday. Boozer, however, is listed as a game-time decision.

"Basically, he just did a little more shooting," Thibodeau said of Boozer on Sunday. "He's moving a lot better. He did his lifting and he was on the bike. He's feeling a lot better. We'll see what he can do (Monday). Each day he's gotten better and better, so we're encouraged by that."

The Bulls won two of three from Atlanta in the regular season. All three games took place over a three-week span in March with the Hawks lone win by three points at Philips Arena. Conversely, the Bulls two wins (one at home and one in Dixie ) were by 18 and 33 points.

The teams have met four times previously in the postseason dating back to 1966-67 when the Hawks called St. Louis home. Each club has taken two series, the Hawks in '66-67 and '69-70 and the Bulls in '92-93 and '96-97.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, also in the Second City.