The battle for playoff standings will escalate on Monday evening as the Chicago Bulls welcome the Atlanta Hawks for a showdown to secure home advantage in the NBA play-in tournament.

Occupying the ninth and tenth spots in the Eastern Conference respectively, the Bulls and Hawks are likely to clash in the opening game of the play-in tournament. However, the team at ninth position will have the hosting rights, with the stakes being elimination for the loser.

Following their 109-101 triumph over Minnesota on Sunday, Chicago (36-39) holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Atlanta (34-40). This victory marked only the second win for the Bulls in their last six matches.

Chicago has emerged victorious in both encounters against Atlanta this season – first with a 118-113 win on Dec. 26 at home, and then with a 136-126 triumph in Atlanta on Feb. 12. This granted the Bulls the tiebreaker should the teams finish the season with identical records, with the series finale slated for Monday.

“We just talk about playing hard for 48 minutes,” Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan said. “More so than anything, we need to compete a full game and not put ourselves in a hole to make things difficult for us.”

DeRozan delivered a stellar performance on Sunday, contributing 27 points and eight assists. He has scored 27 or more points in each of his last five games and holds season averages of 23.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.

Nikola Vucevic, posing yet another matchup dilemma for Atlanta, has achieved a double-double in three consecutive games against the Hawks.

This will mark the Bulls’ second match in as many nights. Chicago has maintained a 6-6 record in the second game of back-to-back fixtures.

Atlanta displayed signs of fatigue in their 122-113 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. This marked the Hawks’ fourth game in a span of six days, including two emotionally draining victories against the league-leading Boston Celtics.

Despite grappling with a roster depleted by injuries, the Hawks have managed to secure victories in four of their last five games. Key players such as Trae Young, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu have been sidelined due to various injuries, placing additional strain on the team’s remaining squad.

“We take it one game at a time, honestly,” Dejounte Murray said. “Just in the situation we’re in with a lot of guys out, with the guys we do have, we’re sticking together and taking it one game at a time. At the end of the day, every game is important.”

Murray showcased impressive performance statistics in recent games, illustrating his crucial role within the team’s lineup.

Amidst the challenges, the Hawks have seen notable contributions from players like Garrison Mathews, Wesley Matthews, and Bruno Fernando, who provide a valuable emotional presence on the court.

“We need his emotions,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “He’s better that way.”