How good are the Hawks?
Or how bad are the 76ers?
The Hawks played without three starters and still drubbed Philadelphia 105-87 on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Jeff Teague, DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap all rested on the first of four road games in five days.
That was not an issue against the lowly 76ers.
Al Horford recorded his first career triple-double as the Hawks won their ninth consecutive overall and franchise-record ninth consecutive on the road. The NBA’s hottest team has won 23 of its past 25 games.
“We don’t have that superstar, but it makes everybody relevant,” Kyle Korver said. “Every time down the court, everybody feels like they are going to touch the ball, they are going to set a screen, they are going to make a pass, there is a possibility they are going to do something or they are going to score. It makes you play harder. When you feel like you have an opportunity every single time down the court to be a part of what is happening, you naturally play a little harder. I feel like that has been one of our strengths. We come out and play hard as a team.”
Horford finished with 21 points, on 8-of-10 shooting, 10 rebounds and a career-high-tying 10 assists. He is the fourth players since the 2000-01 season to record a triple-double while shooting 80 percent or better from the field. The others were Brad Miller, Steve Nash and Serge Ibaka. Horford played only 29 minutes and came out of the game as soon as he got his 10th rebound.
“Going into the third (quarter), all the guys on the bench kept telling me, ‘Get two more rebounds. Get two more rebounds,’” Horford said. “Then in the fourth quarter, when I got the 10th one, me and (Mike) Muscala were about to get it and Shelvin (Mack) was like, ‘No, let him get it.’ The guys were great about it.”
The Hawks (30-8) have a four-game lead in the Eastern Conference. They are the only team in the conference with single-digit losses.
Kent Bazemore came off the bench and scored a season-high 17 points, including three 3-pointers. The Hawks also got double-digit scoring from Korver (15 points, four 3-pointers), Dennis Schroder (13) and Mack (12). Mack also had 10 assists for a double-double.
The Sixers (7-30) were led by Michael Carter-Williams’ 20 points. They had their modest two-game win streak snapped.
“It’s an opportunity for the bench to get in a rhythm together and play extended minutes and continue to sharpen the things that coach tells you to do,” Bazemore said. “We were moving the ball, which was great. We stayed within the concept and came out with a win.”
The Hawks took a 49-37 lead into halftime after a sloppy first two quarters by both teams. The Hawks broke open the half, where they led by as many as seven points, by ending the second quarter with three consecutive 3-pointers, two by Korver and one by Mike Scott.
Each team had 12 turnovers in the first half. The Hawks scored 16 points, and the Sixers scored only three off the miscues.
The Hawks extended their lead to 21 in the third quarter and led by as many as 24 in the fourth.
The Hawks improved to 20-4 when they score more than 100 points and 21-1 when they hold an opponent under 100 points.
Even missing three starters (and reserve Pero Antic), the team-first concept prevailed for the Hawks.
“It’s so much fun, being a part of the team, being a part of the unit,” Elton Brand said. “Tonight, for example, we had a lot of guys out. I didn’t want to lose on my watch. You get that opportunity, and the next guy steps up. We have a team. That is what it’s about.”
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