Hawks erase 20-point deficit for victory over Bucks

Hawks’ Dwight Howard (8) attempts to catch a pass against Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Hawks’ Dwight Howard (8) attempts to catch a pass against Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

The Hawks overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to gain an improbable win.

Dennis Schroder scored on a layup with 1:08 left and Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a corner 3-pointer with 35.6 seconds left as the Hawks defeated the Bucks 114-110 Friday night at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Schroder had a career-high 33 points, including 17 in the first quarter. Paul Millsap added 23 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks and Hardaway had 18 in the victory.

The Hawks (12-12) have now won two straight after losing 10 of 11 games. They beat the Bucks in November, without Dwight Howard, to go to 9-2. They would win just one of their next 11 games.

The Bucks (11-10) led by the substantial margin in the first half before the Hawks put together the dramatic comeback. Jabari Parker led the Bucks with 27 points.

The Hawks fell behind by the 20 points in the first half as they went into intermission down 64-44.

The pulled as close as six points in third quarter with their best offensive period of the season. They outscored the Bucks 40-28 to get back into the contest that appeared headed for another blowout loss.

The Hawks continued to cut into the deficit. They tied the game at 103-103 with 4:11 remaining. Kyle Korver then hit a deep basket, originally ruled a 3-pointer, to give the Hawks a two-point lead with 3:15 left. It was their first lead since they led 18-16 in the first quarter.

Parker hit a 3-pointer with 1:51 left to give the Bucks a 106-105 lead before Schroder’s layup, Hardaway’s 3-pointer and Thabo Sefolosha’s two free throws with 28.7 seconds left for a 7-0 Hawks’ run. They took a 112-106 lead and held on for the win.