Feb. 27--The Bulls were never really in the game as the Hawks took it to them from the opening tip and cruised to victory. Sloppy ball-handling, cold shooting and low energy resulted in the Bulls having their three-game winning streak snapped. Jeff Teague had 19 points and nine assists while Al Horford added 18 points and Kent Bazemore 17 to lift the Hawks.
Doug McDermott continued his strong play with 20 points and Pau Gasol scored 16 and pulled down 17 rebounds for the Bulls, who dropped to 30-27 on the season.
Losing control
During the Bulls' three-game winning streak they avoided making costly turnovers but that came crashing to a halt against the Hawks. The Bulls committed 21, led by five from Aaron Brooks, and the Hawks scored 27 points off them. It also led to the Hawks scoring 20 fast-break points.
"Kind of what has gotten us in trouble the last couple of times we've played them is turnovers," forward Doug McDermott said. "They scored 27 off of them--that's the key to the game right there."
Said coach Fred Hoiberg: "(The Hawks) were the aggressors. They were getting their hands on balls, we weren't tough with the ball and they just out-horsed us on the glass. That was the type of night it was for us."
Dougie making buckets
McDermott posted his fourth consecutive game with double-digit scoring and is not only knocking down long-range jumpers but also added another monster dunk.
"I feel like I'm getting out and moving around a little more," McDermott said. "Part of it is the stuff we're running and part of it is just confidence. I'm feeling more comfortable out there as the season has gone on. Hopefully, I can continue to build on it and hopefully it produces wins."
Added Hoiberg: "Just the movement that Doug has had on the offensive end has been good for him. The biggest thing with Doug is confidence and he's playing with high confidence right now."
Sick moves
Gasol put together another big effort despite still suffering from the flu. The veteran big man, who just missed a triple-double during Wednesday night's win over the Washington Wizards, went 6-for-22 from the field against the Hawks but nailed two three-pointers and was dominant on the boards.
"I don't feel well yet," Gasol said. "I'm just trying to fight through it and do what I can. It's hard. You don't have your energy and legs and you get fatigued really quickly. But you keep playing and it is what it is--no point really in complaining about it."
ckuc@tribpub.com
