Chicago Bulls Team Report - January 22

(Basketball News) - The Chicago Bulls lost to the Atlanta Hawks, 97-87, on Wednesday in a battle between the two worst teams in the Central Division at Philips Arena.

Kendall Gill and Eddie Robinson each had 17 points for the Bulls, who have dropped five straight contests.

"The bottom line is you can’t make a moral victory out of any loss," Gill said. "Winning is everything. Not just in basketball but in life. All you can do is stay positive."

Chicago, which shot only 43 percent from the floor (35-of-81), held a commanding 59-20 advantage from its bench.

Chicago trailed by six after three, but it began the fourth quarter on a 6-2 run to pull within 81-79. The Bulls got within one midway through the fourth and Kirk Hinrich’s two free throws with 3:35 remaining gave them an 87-86 edge, their first lead since early in the second period.

The Hawks then closed out the game by going on an 11-0 run to claim the victory. During the decisive spurt, Atlanta’s Shareef Abdur-Rahim had six points, including two consecutive baskets that put Atlanta ahead for good.

The Bulls are off until Friday when they host Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.