As their once-promising season continues to slide into crisis, the Hawks say they still believe they can pull it together and make a run.
They say that despite their shaky play since the All-Star break, the blowout losses at home and their struggles against the better teams. They say it though the playoffs begin in a little more than three weeks, and the Hawks still don't know what they are about.
The Hawks said all of that hours before Derrick Rose's Bulls came to Philips Arena and smacked them around for a 114-81 victory that was essentially settled after 17 minutes of game time.
The Hawks now own the three worst home losses in the NBA this season and are the only team to lose more than one home game by at least 30 points. The latest surrender makes their talk about a turnaround sound empty.
"I believe that way and I feel like everyone in this room does," Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich said before the game. "We've had some bumps; we haven't played well at times. But I think everyone believes if we put our minds to it [we can do it].
"That's kind of what we are trying to focus on these last 12 games: every game going out there and gearing up for the playoffs and play playoff basketball and hopefully be ready for the playoffs."
It took little more than a quarter for the Bulls to show the stark difference between an Eastern Conference contender rolling toward the playoffs and a rudderless team sputtering its way there. The Hawks trailed 72-43 at halftime, and the Bulls poured it on with a 26-17 advantage in the third quarter.
The Bulls have won 10 of 11 games since losing 83-80 at Atlanta on March 2. The Hawks rallied from 19 points down to win that game, but have lost seven of 10 since and are 7-13 since Feb. 5.
The Bulls (51-19) snapped a six-game losing streak in Atlanta and moved a game ahead of Boston for the East lead.
"We know what to expect tonight," Hawks guard Joe Johnson said before the game. "We know it is going to be a very physical game, a very intense game. We just have to be ready."
Instead, the Hawks fell behind big to Chicago early and stayed there. After tying the game at 17-17 in the second quarter, the Hawks were outscored 55-26 over the final 16-plus minutes of the half.
Chicago scored 41 points in the second quarter and 72 in the first half. Both are season-highs in points for the Bulls and the most allowed by the Hawks.
It's possible the Hawks still would have lost to the Bulls with their best effort. Led by MVP candidate Rose, Chicago is showing signs of being ready to challenge defending East champion Boston.
"They are the top team in the East," Hawks forward Damien Wilkins said before the game. "It's them and Boston. I think we are up for the challenge. I think our confidence is back in the locker room. We have go to go out and defend first and slow down Derrick Rose. Do that and we will be fine."
The Hawks couldn't come close to doing it.
Rose constantly blew by Hawks defenders and either passed to open teammates for scores or did it himself at the rim. He was hot from outside, too, making all four of his 3-point attempts in the first half and six of eight for the game.
Rose finished with 30 points and 10 assists while playing just 29 minutes in three quarters. Bulls forward Luol Deng scored 27 points and made 10 of 16 shots and six of six free-throw attempts.
