Hawks allow season-high 131 points in loss to Magic
About that Hawks defense.
The Magic came into Philips Arena and put on an offensive display in a 131-120 victory over the Hawks Tuesday night. It was the most points allowed by the Hawks this season. The Hawks surrendered 128 points to the Raptors last week.
So much for a winning streak. The loss comes after two straight Hawks wins in an up-and-down season.
The Magic used a 17-5 fourth-quarter run to break open a close game after the Hawks had battled back from a 12-point first-half deficit. They pushed their advantage to 16 points in the final period for win.
The Hawks (12-13) were led by Dwight Howard with a double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds. Each starter finished in double-figures with Dennis Schroder (19), Thabo Sefolosha (17), Paul Millsap (17) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (12). Schroder had a double-double with 13 assists. Kyle Korver had 12 points as the bench finished with 35 points.
The Magic (11-15) snapped a three-game losing streak. They won for only the sixth time in the last 23 meetings with the Hawks. Serge Ibaka led four Magic players with 20 or more points. He had a game-high 29 points and was followed by Elfrid Payton (26), Evan Fournier (23) and Jodie Meeks (20). Payton also had 14 assists. Both were career-highs for Payton.
The Hawks allowed the Magic 72 first-half points and trailed by as many as 12 points in the second quarter. They trailed 72-62 at intermission as the Magic shot 59 percent from the floor.
The Hawks used a 17-5 run to start the third quarter to take a lead, 79-77, when Tim Hardaway Jr. hit three free throws.
The Magic took a 99-96 lead into the fourth quarter. Korver hit a 3-point with three seconds left to briefly tie the game before Meeks answered with a 3-pointer of his own at the buzzer.
It set up the Magic’s decisive fourth quarter.
About the Author
Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.
