The Hawks finally beat the Bucks – and they didn’t need overtime to do it.
After two losses in extra time this season to the Bucks, the Hawks used a fourth-quarter run for a 101-90 victory Friday night at Philips Arena. The Hawks used a16-7 run to turn a two-point advantage into an 11-point lead with Jeff Teague scoring eight straight points in the run.
The Hawks (43-30) have won two straight, seven of eight and 10 of their last 12 games. They remain third in the Eastern Conference, with nine games to play, and reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to four.
Teague finished with 18 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Hawks. Paul Millsap and Al Horford added 14 points each. Millsap had a double-double with 13 rebounds.
The Bucks (30-43) have lost four straight.
The Hawks led by as many as 10 points, opening the double-digit lead in the first quarter. The Bucks cut their deficit to a single point twice, once in the second and third quarters, but couldn’t come all the way back. The Bucks only lead was a 6-4 edge in the opening minutes.
The Bucks entered the game as the top team in the NBA in points in the paint yet the Hawks held a 58-42 lead in the category.
The Hawks next play at the Pistons Saturday night to start a three-game road trip.
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