Hawks 105 - 102 Bulls
Final
  for this game

Hawks look to post back-to-back wins

Jan 20, 2009 - 1:58 PM Atlanta (24-16) at Chicago (18-24) 8:30 p.m. EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks are trying to climb out a recent hole. A date with the Chicago Bulls should help.

The Hawks will be looking to post back-to-back wins for the first time this month when they visit the Bulls on Tuesday.

Atlanta was one of the surprise stories of the first few months of the season, as the youthful squad held its own with the powers in the Eastern Conference. But the Hawks have fallen on hard times in January, going 3-6 in the new year while allowing 100 points or more in each of their six defeats.

But they got back to their defensive intensity on Monday, holding Toronto to 42 percent shooting and forcing 14 turnovers in an 87-84 win. Joe Johnson busted out of a shooting slump in the win, collecting 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting.

Mike Bibby added 23 points and Josh Smith chipped in 22 and 14 rebounds.

The Bulls are looking to rebound from a 102-98 loss at New York in which they committed 17 turnovers en route to back-to-back setbacks.

Atlanta has won both meetings between the teams this season, including a 129-117 shootout on December 27. Johnson scored 41 points for the Hawks while the Bulls' Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose combined for 60.






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