A bad look: Bulls dominated by depleted Hawks 123-105 in game both teams needed

Atlanta’s John Collins goes up strong against the Bulls on Tuesday at the United Center. (AP Photos)

There’s backing in, and then there’s backing down.

In a 123-105 loss to the depleted Hawks on Tuesday at the Uniter Center, the Bulls did both. And no matter how much it ends up hurting them in the Eastern Conference standings — which could be a lot — it was embarrassing and inexcusable.