A brief recap of the Hawks’ third straight win this season over Southeast division rival Washington:
How the game was won: Jeff Teague scored eight of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter, and Al Horford pitched in 21 points and 13 rebounds as the Hawks broke open a tight game in the final period.
Atlanta (41-9) rediscovered some of its defensive mojo two nights after a 115-100 loss in New Orleans that broke a franchise-record 19-game winning streak. The Wizards (31-19) scored just 18 points in the first quarter, and made but 4-of-16 3-point shots to lose their fourth straight game and drop 10 games behind Atlanta in the division.
Turning point: Washington led 74-73 after John Wall made a pair of free throws with 1:17 left in the third quarter before the Hawks scored the game's next eight points over the end of the period and the start of the fourth. Atlanta never trailed nor was tied again.
Number: 5. Atlanta limited Washington to five offensive rebounds with 37 defensive rebounds. Paul Millsap (11 points, seven rebounds) and Horford each grabbed seven off the defensive glass.
Next: The Hawks will play host to the Western Conference-leading Warriors Friday night.
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