Horford, Hawks upend Bulls
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Al Horford totaled 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the Atlanta Hawks picked up their first win over the Chicago Bulls in nearly two years with a 93-86 victory.
Paul Millsap chipped in 17 points while Jeff Teague added 12 with seven assists for the Hawks, who had dropped six straight against the Bulls since besting them on Dec. 22, 2012.
Atlanta bounced back from having its nine-game winning streak snapped at Orlando over the weekend by forcing 16 turnovers and holding the Bulls to 37.6 percent shooting.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We had a couple shots go in and out on us," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You have to give (the Hawks) credit. They made big plays."
Jimmy Butler led Chicago with 22 points, while Taj Gibson scored 15 with 17 rebounds in a losing effort. The Bulls had won three straight coming in.
Pau Gasol also posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 boards, and his tip-in with 23.7 seconds remaining pulled Chicago within 89-86.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Butler nearly forced a turnover at the other end and settled for a tie-up with Kyle Korver with 14.3 ticks on the clock. Neither player got a clean touch on the jump ball, and Millsap snuck in and secured the loose ball.
Teague's two free throws essentially sealed the outcome.
Millsap capped an early 11-0 run that gave the Hawks a 16-9 lead midway through the opening quarter, and Atlanta never trailed again.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"(Chicago) is the type of team where you can't really get behind on, so I felt like our energy was great in the beginning," Horford said.
It was a 28-22 game at the end of 12 minutes and a 50-44 contest at the break thanks to a late Korver 3-pointer.
Each time the Bulls pulled within a possession in the second half, the Hawks had an answer. Rose's pullup jumper had Chicago within 61-58 before Millsap countered with consecutive baskets.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dennis Schroder's bucket in the closing seconds of the third quarter yielded a 73-64 Atlanta lead.
Game Notes
The Hawks have won seven in a row at home ... Bulls center Joakim Noah missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. He is expected to return Thursday against New York ... Chicago lost despite a 57-40 rebounding advantage ... Atlanta recorded just two second-chance points to Chicago's 17.