The Chicago Bulls play host to the Atlanta Hawks at United Center on Monday.

The Hawks (34-40) have been playing better recently, entering this matchup winning four of their last five games. That hot stretch is huge because it's essentially locked the Hawks into the Play-In Tournament. They're likely going to face the Chicago Bulls in an elimination game in the Play-In Tourney, and there could be some reinforcements on the horizon. Trae Young and Jalen Johnson are both expected to return before then, and that's quite the duo to add. It's even scarier since Dejounte Murray is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now, dropping 44 points in an overtime win against the Boston Celtics a few nights ago.

The Bulls (36-39) are struggling right now, entering this matchup losing four of their last six outings. This is one of the worst times to go on a losing streak, but it doesn't really matter since Chicago is stuck in the Play-In Tournament pool. They currently sit ninth in the Eastern Conference and are six games up on the team in 11th. They're also four games back of the Philadelphia 76ers in eighth, so it looks like they'll face this same team in an elimination game in about two weeks. What's really held this team back are the injuries in the backcourt. Lonzo Ball and Zach Lavine have missed most of the year, and it's tough to overcome losing your two backcourt studs.

This is the third meeting between these teams, with Chicago winning both. The Bulls have four wins in their last five matchups with the Hawks in total.