NBA: Bulls rout Hawks to advance

ATLANTA–The Chicago Bulls advanced to their first NBA playoff semi-finals since 1998 by dominating Atlanta 93-73 Thursday to win their playoff series four games to two.

Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose finished with 19 points and 12 assists and Carlos Boozer had 23 points for the Bulls in the rout.

By winning in six games, Chicago has reached their first Eastern Conference final since 1998, when the Michael Jordan-led Bulls were en route to a second three-peat.

The Bulls advance to play the Miami Heat with the winner earning a spot in the NBA finals. The first game is set for Sunday in Chicago.