Central Division matchup in Atlanta

Milwaukee fell to the Bulls and their new head coach Scott Skiles, 97-87, on Monday at Chicago.

Michael Redd’s 26 points led Milwaukee, which lost for just the second time in five games.

Chicago led by six at halftime and increased its advantage to 51-43 early in the third quarter. Milwaukee, however, responded with a 15-4 burst to jump in front. A field goal by Redd capped the run and put the Bucks ahead, 58-55, midway through the third quarter.

Trailing 69-64, the Bulls took over the game beginning with a 10-point spurt. Antonio Davis started the decisive run with a jumper and Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams dunked back-to-back to put Chicago in front for good, 74-69, early in the fourth quarter.

After a basket by Milwaukee’s Marcus Haislip, the Bulls ran off 10 more unanswered points. Davis started the spurt with a jumper and scored again to give Chicago an 84-71 advantage midway through the final stanza.

A three-pointer by Crawford with 3:45 to play in the contest put Chicago in control, 91-75.

The Bucks used a late run to get within four, 91-87, but Chicago scored the final six points of the game to come away with the victory.

Milwaukee forward Tim Thomas missed his third straight game with a sprained ankle.

Thomas and forward Toni Kukoc (back) are both expected to miss tonight’s contest.

The Hawks lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 98-86, on Saturday night at the Wachovia Center.

Jason Terry collected 20 points and six assists in the loss, while Shareef Abdur-Rahim posted 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Stephen Jackson netted 13 and Dion Glover added 12, as the Hawks lost for the third time in four games.

Atlanta is 3-5 at home.

The Hawks won the first contest between the teams this season. Atlanta defeated the Bucks, 101-93, on November 18 at the Bradley Center.

The home team has won eight of the last 10 games between the two squads.

The Hawks have won two in a row over the Bucks, who have lost three straight at Atlanta.