The Chicago Bulls will host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday afternoon, but it's unclear if reigning MVP Derrick Rose will play. He has already missed five games in a row, and the Bulls will obviously be happy when they have their star back on the floor.

In his absence, the Bulls have played well. They are 7-3 in the 10 games without Rose this season, but they are coming off an embarrassing defeat at home to the New Jersey Nets. The Nets led throughout and defeated the Bulls 97-85.

The Atlanta Hawks are still a playoff-caliber team, despite the fact that they have lost six of their last 10 games. They were blown out by 20 points at the hands of the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday night, so they will be looking to bounce back as well.

 

Where: United Center, Chicago, Ill.

When: Monday, Feb 20, 4:00 EDT

Watch: NBA League Pass, Comcast Sports Chicago, ESPN, ESPN3

Live Stream: NBA.com through League Pass

Listen: ESPN 1000: WMVP-AM, Chicago, WCNN 680 AM Atlanta

Betting Line: Odds not yet published

 

 

Chicago Bulls Key Injuries

Richard Hamilton (sore groin): Out per ESPN.com

Hamilton (groin) has rejoined the Bulls but he's still at least a week from returning from his groin injury, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Derrick Rose (back spasms): Game-time decision per Nick Friedell of ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is a game-time decision for Monday afternoon's contest against the Atlanta Hawks.

 

Atlanta Hawks Key Injuries

Al Horford (torn pectoral muscle): Out

 

What's At Stake?

If Rose plays, the Bulls will be trying to regain their rhythm and championship-contending form. If he doesn't, the Bulls will be attempting to hold the fort just a little longer as they wait for him to return.

Atlanta seems to have lost a bit of their confidence from earlier in the season. After playing well during the first two months, the Hawks are 3-6 in February. They would love to rebound and capture their second win over the Bulls this season. They defeated the Bulls 109-94 on January 7th.

 

What They're Saying

Tom Thibodeau must be tiring of answering questions about Derrick Rose's back. It is, of course, the major topic of conversation daily. Most recently, he told Friedell of ESPN this:

"He did more today," Thibodeau said after Sunday afternoon's practice. "Coming along. We'll see how he is (Monday). ... He took on contact today so I want to see how he is, how he feels after the contact."

The questions will continue until Rose is back. Even after he returns, Thibs will be pelted with questions about how Rose looked post-injury. It will never stop—it's the price you pay for coaching the reigning MVP through a bit of injury trouble. 

The Hawks' biggest problems this season have come from inconsistency. Most recently, the Hawks fell apart in their lost to the Blazers on Saturday night. After scoring 25 points in the first quarter, the Hawks only managed 52 the rest of the way; including being blasted on the boards 50-27. Those statistics led to the 97-77 defeat.

Joe Johnson said this in an article by Kate Hedlin of Yahoo Sports:

Tonight was just one of those nights where the energy level just wasn’t up where it needed to be.

Unfortunately, that is the case too often with the Hawks, and it leads to lackluster performances like this one.  

 

Bulls Player To Watch: C.J Watson

If Rose does not play, Watson carries the weight as the lead guard. Lately, he has been a little out of control and forcing shots. This has led to poor shooting and turnovers. In turn, Tom Thibodeau has played veteran and recent signee from the D-League, Mike James, in some key moments.

Over the last two games, Watson is six-for-20 from the field and averaging 10.5 points per game. It will be interesting to see if Watson can get his game on track. 

 

Hawks Player To Watch: Kirk Hinrich

The former Bull returned to the Hawks lineup on January 25th, but he hasn't found his shooting stroke yet. He is shooting 34 percent from the field and the Hawks need his scoring off the bench to be effective.

Let's see if playing his old team can spark a better performance.

 

Key Matchup: Josh Smith vs Carlos Boozer

When Smith is aggressive and takes the ball to the basket, the Bulls have no answer for him. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Smith sometimes falls in love with his mediocre jump shot. If he does that, the Bulls will dominate and it will help to hide Boozer's inability to guard just about any agile power forward in the NBA.

When Boozer isn't getting exposed on defense, he helps the Bulls immensely on the offensive end. This matchup could determine the game's outcome.

 

Prediction: Bulls 97, Hawks 86

With or without Rose, the Bulls rarely string two poor games together. That is why through one-and-a-half seasons, they have never lost more than two games in a row and they have only lost consecutive games four times.

The Bulls will rebound and hand the Hawks another loss.