On the other hand, Atlanta is jostling with Chicago in the battle for the 5th and 6th seeds in the Eastern Conference. Given that the Hawks likely prefer a series against Brooklyn to one against Indiana, the Hawks need as many wins as possible to catch the Bulls, whom they trail by half a game.

A video

Just for giggles, here’s a video of then-assistant coach Jim Boylan trying to distract Josh Smith on a corner three-pointer in a late game situation.  I hope Smith takes pity on Boylan when Milwaukee signs Smith to a max contract this offseason.  (I kid, I kid. Oy, I hope I’m kidding.)

Projected Lineups

Hawks: Jeff Teague, Devin Harris, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith, Al Horford
Bucks: Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis, Marquis Daniels, Ersan Ilyasova, John Henson/Ekpe Udoh

Injuries

Ekpe Udoh (sprained right ankle): probable
Ersan Ilyasova (illness): probable
Larry Sanders (left hip pain): questionable
Brandon Jennings (sore left Achilles’ tendon): questionable

Zaza Pachulia and Lou Williams are out for the season.

Some numbers

The Hawks are a whisker above average; the Bucks are seven whiskers below it. Given the mixed motivations of the two teams, throw out all the numbers anyway — they’re useless for predicting the outcome of this game.

Enjoy.

The picture of efficiency. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s your hourly update: no one has been acquired or traded by the Milwaukee Bucks. With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, there are still talks on the Internet and in NBA offices about the franchise acquiring forward Josh Smith from Atlanta and/or sharpshooting guard J.J. Redick from Orlando.

From Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard): The Bucks have ruled out including Monta (“Monte,” in Broussard-speak) Ellis in a trade to add Smith to their roster, according to sources. This leak is sure to please Smith, who stated his desire to play with both Ellis and Brandon Jennings, although it would give the Bucks a third “major” player with poor shot selection. A more recent tweet from the ESPN scribe cites unnamed sources saying the race for Redick is also thinning, with Detroit dropping off the list of suitors. Milwaukee is clearly still in contention for both, but whether they are willing to give up the assets necessary to acquire two players with the asking prices of Smith and Redick is questionable.

From David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt): Along with the Pacers, Spurs and 76ers, the Bucks are one of the teams trying hardest to bring in Redick before time expires. Philadelphia is riddled with injuries and San Antonio is trying to find a final piece that makes it a legitimate title contender, but the Pacers and Bucks are in similar positions of needing a verified three-point shooter to space the floor for their current playmakers. On the Smith front, Aldridge also tweeted a reminder that Phoenix may have the upper hand in any trade scenario since Atlanta GM Danny Ferry and Suns GM Lance Blanks previously worked together for two other NBA franchises. The Suns already have a crowded frontcourt, as do the Bucks. The difference is Milwaukee’s current crop of forwards has upside whereas Phoenix’s only worthwhile forward (Luis Scola) cannot be traded.

From Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine): He broke news of the Spurs’ interest in Redick last night, but let slip something directly related to the Bucks this morning: the groundwork of a Beno Udrih-to-Dallas trade has been laid, but if it happens, it won’t be until the last minutes before the deadline in case Milwaukee needs to move Udrih as part of a bigger deal, probably one that makes Smith a Buck. With an already thin backcourt, the Bucks would have to receive a guard — ideally either Rorigue Beaubois or Darren Collison — in return for sending Udrih to the Mavs. Dallas has been shopping for point guards like nobody’s business with unsuccessful attempts to sign Delonte West and Allen Iverson to the Mavs’ D-League counterpart and reported interest in acquiring Jennings, so an Udrih-to-Dallas trade is not too surprising.