The Chicago Bulls try to move closer to clinching a playoff berth Wednesday when they visit the lowly Atlanta Hawks (6:00 p.m. CT | WCIU/ESPN Radio 1000). The Bulls (36-41), who can sweep the Hawks (24-53) for a second straight season, are tied with Philadelphia for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with five games remaining. Chicago has the tiebreaker edge over the 76ers. Chicago also is just one game behind Indiana and Milwaukee, who are in sixth and seventh place respectively. Behind a 21-point fourth quarter performance from Ben Gordon, the Bulls escaped with a 104-101 triumph over visiting New Jersey on Tuesday. Gordon finished with 36 points, Kirk Hinrich added 22 and nine assists, and Andres Nocioni collected 20 and a career-high 17 rebounds. On Wednesday, the Hawks suffered their second consecutive loss, a 105-88 shortcoming to the surging Orlando Magic on Monday. Al Harrington had 19 points and eight rebounds and Josh Childress added 13 for Atlanta, which has also dropped three straight home contests to Chicago. Tune in to watch tonight's game on WCIU or listen to it on ESPN Radio 1000 (pregame show at 5:30). Probable Bulls Starters Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190 Guard 7 Ben Gordon 6-3 | 200 Forward 5 Andres Nocioni 6-7 | 225 Forward 35 Malik Allen 6-10 | 255 Center 50 Michael Sweetney 6-8 | 270 Probable Hawks Starters Guard 36 Royal Ivey 6-3 | 200 Guard 2 Joe Johnson 6-7 | 230 Forward 5 Josh Smith 6-9 | 225 Forward 3 Al Harrington 6-9 | 245 Center 27 Zaza Pachulia 6-11 | 265 Injury Report Bulls Chris Duhon (low back pain) is a game-time decision, while Luol Deng (concussion) and Eric Piatkowski (concussion, facial laceration) are questionable. Darius Songaila (right foot fracture) is out. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com. Hawks Salim Stoudamire (sprained right elbow) is out. Series Notes The Bulls have won six-straight over the Hawks after sweeping the four-game series last season ... it was the Bulls' first sweep of Atlanta since going 4-0 in 1995.96 ... in the series-finale last season, Chris Duhon buried eight-of-nine three-pointers on his way to a then career-high 24 points ... Chicago outscored Atlanta in the series last season by an average of 105.3 to 90.8.
