Today's game
Thunder at Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
SPSO, 680, 93.7
It wasn’t supposed to be this close. But was it ever.
DeShawn Stevenson, who the Hawks had hoped to take a night off, hit a key 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining in overtime to help Atlanta to a 100-95 victory over the lowly Wizards Tuesday night at the Verizon Center.
The Hawks could have sealed the game at the free throw line in the final two minutes of OT. However, Stevenson and Al Horford each hit only one of two free throws. After a Jordan Crawford basket and a missed Hawks shot, the Wizards closed to within 98-95 and had the ball with 24 seconds remaining.
Nene missed a shot in the lane and Atlanta’s Kyle Korver sank two free throws with 7.7 remaining to clinch the victory.
The Hawks (15-8) defeated the Wizards for the third time this season and sixth straight overall. It was also the Hawks’ 18th victory over Washington in their past 19 meetings. The only loss Atlanta came with Josh Smith out with an injury on April 9, 2011.
The Hawks have won 12 of their past 15 games. They play the second of four games in five days Wednesday at home against the Thunder.
Lou Williams led the Hawks with 24 points, including a basket and free throw in overtime. Smith had 17 points and 13 rebounds and Korver finished with 16 points.
The Wizards (3-19) lost their fourth straight. They were led by Crawford with 27 points.
With the Hawks holding a one-point lead at 87-86 in regulation, Smith was fouled going to the basket with 1:05 remaining. He missed both free throws and opened the door for the Wizards.
After a Bradley Beal floater gave the Wizards the lead, Williams answered with a 3-pointer with 43.8 seconds remaining. Back came the Wizards on a jumper from Emeka Okafor that tied the game, 90-90, with 23 seconds to play.
Playing for the final shot, Jeff Teague drove to basket but was called for a charge with 2.7 remaining, setting up overtime. Crawford missed at the buzzer.
In three games against the Wizards this season, Smith has averaged 21.7 points and 13 rebounds.
“I just think there are certain teams, I know as a player, that you play better against,” coach Larry Drew said of Smith before the game. “From a matchup standpoint, I think we match up pretty well against this team. He seems to find a rhythm when he plays against this team.
“When that happens, we try to ride it. We go to him a lot. He gets a lot of touches. He seems to be pretty — I wouldn’t say comfortable — but he picks and chooses his spots very well against this team.”
The Hawks led by as many as eight points in the first half and took a 52-46 lead into intermission. Korver had 10 first-half points, including three 3-pointers.
Notes
- Devin Harris left the game in the second quarter and did not return with what the team described as a sore left foot. The guard had eight points before leaving with the injury.
- Ivan Johnson left the game in the second quarter with a cut on his right hand that required four stitches. The cut was between the fourth finger and pinkie. He returned following halftime.
- Anthony Morrow missed his second straight game with a sore back. The guard practiced Monday and participated in the shoot-around Tuesday but was declared out prior to the game. Coach Larry Drew said the team was being cautious by giving Morrow extra rest. The team is still listing Morrow as day-to-day and his status for Wednesday's home game against the Thunder is uncertain.
- Without Morrow, Drew faced a dilemma of whether to play Stevenson. Ordinarily the 13-year veteran does not play in back-to-back games and the Hawks would like to have Stevenson Wednesday night against the Thunder. Stevenson dressed out against the Wizards and after the injury to Harris entered the game with 3:08 remaining in the third quarter.
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