Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks: Game Outlook

By Daniel Coughlin

Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo (9) watches the game from the side line while laying on the floor during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo (9) watches the game from the side line while laying on the floor during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taj Gibson, PF, Chicago Bulls
Oct 20, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) looks to pass against Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Atlanta defeated Chicago 97-81. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Frontcourt

Taj Gibson has been tearing up opposing frontcourts every single time out on the floor this season, but he’s about to get his toughest matchup of the year: Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard.

Robin Lopez is no slouch, either. He’s a great rim protector with solid skills on both ends of the floor with one major flaw – mid-range and perimeter defensive coverage. The good news: Howard can’t shoot. But that won’t stop him from being a terror around the rim. In the Hawks win over the Cavs, Howard only scored seven points, but he grabbed 17 rebounds and swatted three shots.

There were a lot of questions entering the season about his long-term ability to stay healthy and live up to any contract that he was seeking. Essentially, he was the same kind of risk that the Bulls took on Wade and Rajon Rondo. So far, so good. Dwight has seemingly enjoyed his time in ATL and is playing like it. That will pose a lot of problems for the Bulls. I haven’t had time to run and tape on the Hawks so far this season, but this is serious frontcourt pairing based on history.

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Lopez is going to have his hands full and must hope that age is going to check up with Howard on the second night of this back-to-back.

Gibson has been a legitimate starter for Chicago this season and has been doing all kinds of great things out of the post and on the boards. Fortunately, he’ll have the advantage on the boards over Millsap, who put up 21 points and five boards against the Cavs on Tuesday. However, Millsap has the ability stretch the floor. He was 2-for-4 from 3-point range against Cleveland and that will create some issues for the Bulls.

Gibson can follow him out near the line, but likely won’t push for a closeout at any point if Millsap puts up a shot because of that other guy, Howard.

It’s going to be a tough matchup for Chicago in the frontcourt.

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