ATLANTA -- The Chicago Bulls strengthened their hold on home-court advantage in the playoffs, and made it a little tougher for the Atlanta Hawks to extend their season. Wholesale Air Force 1 . For that, the Bulls can thank D.J. Augustin. Again. Keeping up his inspired play, Augustin scored 23 points as Chicago held off slumping Atlanta for a 105-92 victory Wednesday night, bumping the Hawks out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with two weeks left in the season. Chicago stretched its lead to 2 1-2 games over Brooklyn for home court in the opening round of the playoffs. The Bulls may have lost Derrick Rose to major knee injuries two years in a row, but they are 35-20 since signing Augustin in mid-December. "Hes saved our season," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "D.J. can beat you a lot of different ways." The performance came three days after Augustin scored a career-high 33 points against Boston. "D-Rose is the face of this team," Augustin said. "Im just trying to come in, just trying to help us out, do whatever I can do to help us win and go forward in the playoffs." Chicago took control with a 16-3 run in the second quarter and led the rest of the way, fending off the last of Atlantas runs when Jimmy Butler swished a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining. "We just want to finish the rest of the season strong," Augustin said. The Hawks are heading in the opposite direction, losing for the 21st time in 28 games. This one dropped them slightly behind New York for the eighth playoff seed. "We still control our own destiny," DeMarre Carroll said. "But now things got more interesting." The Knicks (33-43) routed Brooklyn 110-81 to climb percentage points ahead of Atlanta (32-42). Cleveland is also in the mix, two games out after beating Orlando. The Hawks host the Cavaliers on Friday night. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Jeff Teague added 21 points. But Kyle Korver, with 12 points, was the only other Atlanta player in double figures. Everyone else went 13 of 32 from the field. "Were a new team," Carroll said, referring to Atlantas massive turnover the last two summers. "This year is not going to make or break us. Just to be talking about making the playoffs is amazing." The Hawks were up 42-38 with 9 minutes left in the second quarter after Mike Muscala knocked down a couple of free throws. Chicago took control from there, clamping down defensively and scoring 16 of the next 19 points. The Hawks missed 12 of 13 shots, forced to settle mostly for outside jumpers and botching a couple of easy ones when they did get inside. Augustin capped the spurt with a brilliant hesitation move, freezing the Atlanta defenders before bursting through a gap for an easy layup. The Bulls led 57-49 at the half and never surrendered the advantage. Atlanta made several runs, only to have Chicago answer every one of them. With the Hawks down 93-87 and in possession, Taj Gibson swatted away Carrolls driving shot, the Bulls grabbed a loose ball and took off the other way, with Augustin sinking a 3-pointer that led to an Atlanta timeout. It was another trey by Butler that finished off the Hawks -- appropriate enough, since the Bulls went 12 of 25 beyond the arc. Augustin was 4 of 8 from long range, while Butler chipped in with three more. In contrast to the Hawks, six players were in double figures for the Bulls, including Butler and Kirk Hinrich with 17 points apiece. Atlanta has eight games left to pull out its seventh straight playoff appearance. "This team is competitive," Elton Brand said. "Theres no quit in us. Were going to play it out until the end." NOTES: Chicagos Joakim Noah had 10 points and 10 rebounds. ... The Bulls swept the season series 4-0 and now have won six straight against the Hawks since last season. ... Thibodeau shrugged off the 200th career victory. "Ive got a good team," he said after improving his record to 200-105 in four seasons. Nike Air Force 1 Cheap Outlet . The 26-year-old slider from Calgary posted a time of 50.464 seconds, 0.573 seconds back of leader Natalie Geisenberger. The German led the overall World Cup womens standings this season and continued her dominance by putting down a track record time of 49. Nike Air Force 1 Australia Mens . -- Andy Dorman and Kelyn Rowe scored in the second half to lead the New England Revolution to a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Saturday night. http://www.wholesalenikeairforce1australia.com/ . His right arm rested in a sling and was encased in a cast from above the elbow to his hand. "Im excited," Fernandez said with a grin.Englewood, CO - Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas was listed as a non-participant in practice for a third straight day on Friday, leaving his status uncertain for this weekends game against the Miami Dolphins. Thomas, the NFLs leader with 12 touchdown catches this season, did take part in a few individual drills during Fridays session, according to the Broncos website. The team officially declared the 2013 Pro Bowl selection questionable for Sundays contest. Thomas sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of last weeks 22-7 loss at St. Louis and did not return to the game. The news was considerably better in regards to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who returned to the practice field Friday and is probable to play against the Dolphins. Sanders was forced out of the St. Louis game in the third quarter after sustaining a concussion on a vicious hit from Rams safety Rodney McLeod. Nike Air Force 1 Australia Womens. . The offseason acquisition was cleared by a neurologist on Thursday night, however. Prior to departing last weeks tilt, Sanders recorded five catches for 102 yards and a touchdown for his third 100-yard effort in Denvers past four games. The Broncos will definitely be without running backs Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball for Sundays matchup, with both players ruled out. Hillman will miss a second straight week with a sprained foot, while Ball aggravated a groin injury against the Rams. It was his first action since Week 5. Backup tight end Virgil Green is considered questionable with a calf injury, but was a limited practice participant throughout the week. ' ' '