Entering the game against another struggling opponent, questions centered around the Bulls .500 record at home along with losing some of their edge in playing non-marquee rivals. When the ball was tipped, those concerns quickly shifted to how many records the offensive futility of the Atlanta Hawks would set.
The Bulls won easily, 97-58 and in the process set an opponent franchise-low for points in the process and held Atlanta to 29 percent from the field. The previous low was 59, set last season in an 85-59 victory over the Orlando Magic on March 19.
Carlos Boozer continued his impressive play, earning his eighth double-double in the last nine games. The 20-point, 13-rebound performance gave the power forward the Eastern Conference lead with 20 double-doubles this season.
The Bulls jumped out to a 26-15 in the first quarter, holding Atlanta to just 33 percent shooting, but things got worse for the Hawks.
Atlanta managed just five points in the second period, setting their franchise record for fewest points in a quarter, which set a Bulls franchise record for fewest points allowed in a half and tied a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a quarter.
The Hawks shot just 9.5 percent in the period (20 percent in the half) and had more turnovers (12) than field goals (8).
Atlanta did show some emotion in the third quarter, with two technicals and a flagrant foul by Devin Harris, who body-blocked Kirk Hinrich on a layup attempt in mid-air.
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The remaining suspense in the game revolved around if the Hawks would set a new franchise low of points scored along with setting a new opponent low for field goal percentage. They avoided both, narrowly.