Chicago Bulls should probably change their expectations when playing the Atlanta Hawks

In the Atlanta Hawks' 119-114 come-from-behind win over the Chicago Bulls, the home team blew a 110-100 lead in the final four minutes of the game. Ouch. That has to hurt. To be outscored 19-4 in the most important minutes of the game, especially after stellar efforts from Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler, hurts, sure, and the Bulls stars blew up after the Hawks comeback was in the books.

Afterwards, Wade and Butler took turns questioning the efforts of their teammates, but not themselves, which while looking selfish from the outside, seems appropriate anyway. Wade and Butler have been great this season, while the rest of the team either suffers from lack of talent or the Rubik's Cube treatment that Fred Hoiberg has used for all the other positions.

Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott, Jerian Grant, Rajon Rondo, Michael Carter-Williams, et al have all, at one matchup or another, rotated through the starting lineup, leaving the team rudderless, with the exception of Butler and Wade. That they don't execute well late in game may not be such a surprise as a result.

But I am burying the lead here -- this isn't the first time the Bulls have apologized/questioned themselves after a loss to the Hawks. Why, it just happened a few days ago!

That performance was AWFUL!!! I apologize to all the Chicago fans and Wade fans.

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 21, 2017

This was after the Hawks win on January 20th where the Hawks blew out the visitors, though Budenholzer did have to go back to the starters after a strong fourth quarter start by the Bulls forced the Hawks to close the deal with the regulars.

So, two games, two looks inside by Wade, who was no doubt used to beating the Hawks when a member of the Heat, especially in the LeBron James era.

Just for fun, let's remember another highlight of the Wade era in Miami in regards to the Hawks, shall we?


Ah, Mr. Holman. Never change, sir.

Anyway, Wade may be used to beating the Hawks, but should the Bulls really expect to beat the Hawks so much that it needs to self-inspect after each loss?

Let's look at recent history of Bulls v. Hawks (thanks, basketball reference!):

Hmmm, I am starting to see a pattern here. Is it such a disgrace to lose to the Hawks? Seems like a win should result in an old fashioned rushing of the court in Chicago. Heck, the Hawks even won in the preseason this year, too!

The Hawks play one more time this season, in Chicago, April 1st. Maybe things will have changed in Chicago by then. Maybe Fred Hoiberg will still be coach or finally have figured out the PG position on the team, just a tiny important piece to the puzzle.

Any which way, maybe they should brace themselves for a Hawks win and save the apologies for games against the Nets.