NEW ORLEANS – Slow start? Not this time.
The Hawks got off to a sizzling beginning against the Hornets – a game they never trailed – en route to a 94-72 victory Sunday. The Hawks fell behind in their past two games, a loss to the Spurs and an overtime win over the Pistons, but they would have none of that in the Big Easy.
Except for a second-quarter lull, the Hawks made it look almost too easy.
Marvin Williams got it started with a 3-pointer to open the game. The Hawks took a 21-point lead midway through the first quarter as they got points from seven different players during the opening run. They led 27-11 at the end of the opening stanza after shooting 52.4 percent from the field.
The Hornets, who missed 12 of their first 15 shots, finished the first quarter by shooting 30 percent. The 11 points allowed were a season-low by the Hawks in the first quarter.
Jeff Teague, nursing a sprained ankle, started and showed no ill effects. He scored 11 first-quarter points, including all three of his 3-point attempts, and finished with a game-high 24 points.
“We were making shots,” Teague said. “Guys were moving the ball good. Guys were making shots and playing defense.”
The big lead didn’t last long into the second quarter. The Hornets went on a 15-3 run to cut the Hawks’ advantage. They got as close as six points before the Hawks went on a 10-5 run to lead 46-35 at the half. Eight players were in the scoring column after the first 24 minutes.
“I didn’t feel totally comfortable, particularly after that first quarter,” said Hawks coach Larry Drew, who got his first win against the Hornets after two losses. “I was happy we got off to a fast start, but I started to see a few defensive breakdowns. … I’m most proud about this win is we maintained our composure.”
The Hawks (15-6) won their second straight and are now 3-1 with a game remaining on their five-game road trip. They are 11-3 in the past 14 games. The victory also kept the Hawks a half-game behind the Heat in the Southeast Division.
Williams finished with 14 points. Drew said Williams has been more aggressive with his shot this season after recovering from off-season back surgery. Drew said he wants Williams to “get his feet set, lick his chops and let it go” when he has an open shot.
“LD has been telling me to do that since I’ve been playing for him,” said Williams, who has hit 10 of 15 3-pointers on the Hawks’ road trip. “It’s fun to play for a coach who allows you to do that, wants you to do that. There is no second-guessing about doing it. This year, I knew he expected that from me so I worked hard all summer and it’s really showing.”
The Hornets (4-16) pulled as close as five points early in the third quarter. However, the Hawks ended the quarter with a 24-6 run to build a 24-point lead, 76-52, and the rout was back on. Willie Green hit a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer to put an exclamation point on the drubbing. The former Hornet finished with season-high 16 points.
“It was good for our team to come out and play a well-rounded game,” Green said. “Naturally, you want to go out and beat up on some of your old buddies. That’s what it was about. Going out there and trying to get this win.”
Drew began emptying his bench with five minutes remaining, putting in the last three of the 13 active players and 11 scored.
The Hawks will conclude their five-game road trip at Toronto Tuesday.
“This is an opportunity to turn a good road trip into a great road trip,” Drew said.
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