The Hawks were one of just six teams in the league to have the maximum five players listed on the ballot -- Boston, Detroit, Houston, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers were the others. That means Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford all have a chance to be voted into the game.

And since the ballot was put together before the season began, so it's not like the Hawks' hot start helped the cause.

"That's nice to know," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said when informed that his starting five made the cut. "I would not have expected that. But it is what it is. That's nice but you've got to play like All-Stars. And everybody can't make it from their position, but it certainly gives these guys something to push for."

--Coach Mike Woodson is certain of one thing -- G Joe Johnson is on course for his third straight All-Star bid.

"If you just look at the way he's playing, his numbers all across the board are All-Star level," Woodson said of his captain. "And it's not like he's just piling up numbers. Because everything he does out there is helping us win games."

--With Josh Smith out with a high ankle sprain and in need of another forward to add to playing the rotation, Woodson tapped rookie Othello Hunter.

"I won't hesitate to put him in the game if we need him," Woodson said.

Woodson needed him Tuesday night, and put Hunter in to start the second quarter against the Bulls. But Hunter lasted just two minutes in his first regular season action as a pro, replaced by Johnson before he could work up a good sweat.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "They are definitely a team you keep an eye on because they won it and we came so close to knocking them off," Johnson said. "They're the top dog right now, so you have to respect them. But it's a new season. That series is behind us. It's a new season and time to move forward with what we're trying to do now and in the future." -- Joe Johnson on the Celtics.