It wasn’t pretty – that’s for sure.
However, it was a win. With just four games remaining in the regular season and the Hawks fighting for playoff position, disposing of the Suns was much needed
The Hawks erased a 14-point first-half deficit for a 103-90 victory over the Suns Tuesday at Philips Arena. The Hawks used a 26-6 run to start the fourth quarter, including the first nine points of the period, to turn a close game into a decisive win.
Hawks (46-32) snapped a two-game losing streak and remained third in the Eastern Conference, now a half-game ahead of the idle Celtics for a home-court advantage spot. The Hawks avenged a loss to the Suns at the buzzer earlier this season. They end the regular season with seven straight wins against Western Conference opponents.
Jeff Teague led the Hawks with 20 points. Kent Bazemore had 17 points, Al Horford had 16 points and Paul Millsap chipped in with 13 points. Horford and Millsap had double-doubles with 10 and 17 rebounds, respectively. Millsap also had eight assist, two away from a triple-double.
The Suns (20-58) have lost seven straight. They were led by Devin Booker with a game-high 34 points.
The Suns led by as many as 14 points in the first half. They ended the first quarter on a 26-8 run to take a 10-point lead, 38-28. They pushed the lead in the second quarter and had a 56-44 at halftime. The Hawks climbed back in the game in third quarter before their decisive fourth quarter.
Hawks continue a four-game homestand against the Raptors on Thursday.
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