Chicago — Vit Krejci thought every shot would go in. He always got it right, which felt nice. In a game between prospective play-in tournament opponents, the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Chicago Bulls 113-101 Monday night. Krejci nailed all his shots and set career highs with 18 points and six 3-pointers, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 20
Atlanta won for the sixth time in six games as Krejci beat his previous highs of 16 points and four 3s by making all six field-goal attempts. “Just a confidence,” he replied. ‘You knock two down. Team was doing great. I think we shot well today because we moved the ball. A three-pass 3 or kickout usually feels better than a one-pass 3.
Dejounte Murray scored 17 points and Clint Capela 15 points and 11 rebounds for the 10th-place Hawks, who closed within a half-game of the ninth-place Bulls in the Eastern Conference Chicago has the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating Atlanta two of three and would host a play-in game if tied.
DeRozan led the Bulls with 31 points. Coby White scored 22. Andre Drummond scored 13 and grabbed 18 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu scored 15. “As bad as it feels now, I don't think we played that bad,” DeRozan said. Bogdanovic hit 6/7, including 2 3s. The Hawks shot 19 of 40 from beyond the arc while the Bulls shot 7 of 28.
Bogdanovic and coach Quin Snyder had to split after a late timeout. Bogdanovic crushed a water bottle and pointed at his chest as he stood up and confronted Snyder. They ignored it, with Snyder remarking, “Bogey was terrific, and I he and I are in a great place — better than good.” Bogdanovic called it a “basketball argument” and said they all get along.
He said, “Quin is my guy, for sure.” “He pushed me all year. We fight little. Normal that it happens. Unfortunately, it happened on a game and TV, so that's highlighted. But we play a game. That seems normal. That's typical in our world.” Atlanta was never troubled after leading 17 late in the third quarter.
Czech third-year pro Krejci nearly matched his career scoring high in the first half. He sank all five baskets and a 3 before halftime to give the Hawks a 61-53 advantage. The Hawks were 14 of 26 on 3-pointers through two quarters, and Murray scored 11 and hit three.
Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery) was in Chicago, and Zach LaVine (right foot surgery) and Patrick Williams (left foot surgery) flew in to rehab. Javonte Green skipped the game for family issues. Also expiring was his 10-day contract.
Hawks guard AJ Griffin (right high ankle sprain) will be examined in 7-10 days after participating in individual basketball exercises. Forward Mouhamed Gueye (sprained right UCL) is doing full-contact workouts, and center Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe) has resumed individual activities. He will be assessed in 7-10 days.
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