Hawks vs. Bulls, Eastern Conference semifinals, best-of-seven games
Point guard
Jeff Teague, 6-2, 180; 11 career playoff games
Teague's main asset is his speed. His primary role in this series is narrow: try to make it hard for Bulls guard Derrick Rose to get into the paint.
Derrick Rose, 6-3, 190; 17 career playoff games
Rose's quickness, aggressiveness and body control allow him to score at the basket or draw fouls when trying. Rose's jump shot is average and his teammates cover for his defensive deficiencies.
Edge: Bulls
Shooting guard
Joe Johnson, 6-7, 240; 50 career playoff games
Johnson struggled to solve Orlando's aggressive double teams for much of the first round. He will get plenty of attention from the Bulls, too, and has to play faster.
Keith Bogans, 6-5, 215; 23 career playoff games
Bogans is a solid, steady defender but will probably need help to deal with Johnson's size. He's not much of a shooter.
Edge: Hawks
Small forward
Marvin Williams, 6-9, 240; 30 career playoff games
Williams is a solid wing defender and a capable, if inconsistent, jump shooter. He should see open shots with the defensive attention elsewhere.
Luol Deng, 6-9, 220; 26 career playoff games
Always a good shooter, Deng has added some versatility to his game. The Hawks consider Deng the No. 2 threat behind Rose.
Edge: Bulls
Power forward
Josh Smith, 6-9, 235; 35 career playoff games
Smith's defense and ability to run the floor can spark the Hawks. His ill-timed jump shots can halt their momentum.
Carlos Boozer, 6-9, 265; 49 career playoff games
Boozer's production and efficiency declined during an injury-plagued season and he struggled against Indiana in the first round. He's a shaky defender but good mid-range shooter and rebounder.
Edge: Bulls
Center
Al Horford, 6-10, 245; 33 career playoff games
Horford's usually reliable mid-range jump shot wasn't working against Orlando and his attempts to score in the post weren't effective. He's a good rebounder who defends all areas of the floor.
Joakim Noah, 6-11, 230; 17 career playoff games
Noah lifts Chicago with his energetic style, defense and rebounding. He's limited offensively but scores by running the floor and tipping in rebounds.
Edge: Hawks
Bench
The Bulls are deep and versatile with size, toughness, shooting and speed. Atlanta's depth tails off after Jamal Crawford and Zaza Pachulia.
Edge: Bulls
Coaching
Tom Thibodeau, 4-1 career playoff record
Thibodeau was voted the league Coach of the Year after guiding the Bulls to 62 victories and the top seed in the East. He's molded Chicago into a rugged defensive team.
Larry Drew, 4-2 career playoff record
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy credited Drew's defensive game plan for Atlanta's first-round victory. Drew hasn't been able to get his players to execute his offense consistently.
Edge: Bulls
Intangibles
The Hawks are an experienced group that gained confidence from winning a bruising series against the Magic. The Bulls forged cohesiveness during a great regular season but this is their first postseason test against an opponent that can match their talent.
Edge: Hawks
