April 16--The plot is simple: Beat the Hawks and the Bulls earn the Eastern Conference's third seed and a first-round playoff matchup with the Bucks.
The Bulls, who are without Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich, also could earn the third seed with a Raptors home loss to the Hornets. If the Bulls lose and Raptors win, the Bulls would fall to the fourth seed and face the Wizards in the first round.
"I want us to put as many things in our favor as we can," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "But the most important thing is playing well. We want to be healthy. Wherever we end up, we're going to make the best of those circumstances, wherever it is. Just keep improving. Concentrate on that. Don't get wrapped up in the what-ifs and all that other stuff."
Hinrich missed his second straight game with his hyperextended left knee but said he planned to play in Game 1 of the playoffs. Likewise, Noah, who has left hamstring tendinitis that is affecting his surgically repaired left knee, sat for a second straight game.
"It happened about a week ago and it progressively got worse," Noah said. "So I'm just using this time to do all the rehab and be ready for the playoffs. Just a little hamstring issue. I've just got to be careful. I'm just doing all the treatment, getting as healthy as possible."
Noah needed one word to answer whether he'd play in the playoff opener.
"Yes," he said.
