The Atlanta Hawks are on the road for a big game tomorrow vs the Chicago Bulls and they will be looking to make a move in the Eastern Conference Standings.
Atlanta comes into tomorrow’s game trailing the Bulls for the No.9 spot in the Eastern Conference and that is significant because if Atlanta stays at No. 10, they will have to win two road games just to get in the playoffs.
While they are unlikely to move up to No. 8, getting a home match-up for the first game would be much better than playing two road games.
The Hawks also might be getting two contributors back tomorrow. Jalen Johnson (right ankle sprain) is being listed as questionable tomorrow, as is Kobe Bufkin (left big toe sprain).
Johnson has not played since March 18th in a loss vs the Lakers and Bufkin has not played since March. 2nd in a loss vs Brooklyn. Johnson was listed as questionable going into last night’s matchup with the Bucks, but ended up not playing.
The Hawks have missed Johnson’s two-way ability and getting him back would be huge. Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu, Saddiq Bey, AJ Griffin, and Mo Gueye remain out for Atlanta.
With Trae Young out, Bufkin had assumed the backup point guard role for the Hawks but got injured vs Brooklyn. He has shown an ability to be a really effective defender already.
If Bufkin does play tomorrow, I would assume he regains his backup point guard role and take the place of Trent Forrest.
The summary of the above analysis is advantages the Chicago Bulls night set out to utilize, and get wins against the Hawks.
