Johnson again leads the Hawks in scoring (21.9 points per game), Horford is their top rebounder (9.4 per game) and Jamal Crawford (17.2 ppg) is a leading candidate for the league's Sixth Man of the Year honors, but perhaps no player is as vital to Atlanta's success as Smith.
Smith had 22 points, 15 boards and six assists Sunday and Johnson scored 24 in a 106-102 overtime win over Milwaukee, snapping the Bucks' six-game winning streak.
The Bulls (31-28) don't need any reminder of Smith's all-around skills after witnessing them in full force Feb. 5. A day after finding out he failed to make the All-Star team, Smith had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists - his second career triple-double - and led Atlanta to a 91-81 win.
Smith scored 18 points in a win during the Bulls' other visit to Atlanta, but didn't fare as well Dec. 19 at the United Center. Smith shot just 2 of 12 and Chicago won 101-98 in overtime despite Johnson's scoring 40.
Bulls All-Star Derrick Rose was the difference in that matchup, scoring 16 of his then-career high 32 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
This all adds up to a faster, harder start than 50 pts.
•• HAWKS @ BULLS •• OVER (50 pts) 1ST QTR ••
Smith had 22 points, 15 boards and six assists Sunday and Johnson scored 24 in a 106-102 overtime win over Milwaukee, snapping the Bucks' six-game winning streak.
The Bulls (31-28) don't need any reminder of Smith's all-around skills after witnessing them in full force Feb. 5. A day after finding out he failed to make the All-Star team, Smith had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists - his second career triple-double - and led Atlanta to a 91-81 win.
Smith scored 18 points in a win during the Bulls' other visit to Atlanta, but didn't fare as well Dec. 19 at the United Center. Smith shot just 2 of 12 and Chicago won 101-98 in overtime despite Johnson's scoring 40.
Bulls All-Star Derrick Rose was the difference in that matchup, scoring 16 of his then-career high 32 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
This all adds up to a faster, harder start than 50 pts.
•• HAWKS @ BULLS •• OVER (50 pts) 1ST QTR ••
