Bobcats 95,
Hawks 93
Late Monday
How the game was won
It was a meaningless result for the playoff-bound Hawks, who nevertheless blew a large lead to fall at Philips Arena. The Bobcats won when Chris Douglas-Roberts scored a scrambling basket at the final buzzer for the comeback victory on an inbounds play with 2.6 seconds left.
Hawks highlight
They found out they will play the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Indiana clinched the top seed when Miami lost at Washington.
Hawks lowlight
The Hawks rested starters Paul Millsap, DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver and had nine available players against a full contingent of Bobcats. The Hawks also sat Jeff Teague and Pero Antic for the entire fourth quarter.
Quoting them
“When you are in our situation health and those things are a priority. … It’s an opportunity to get them a little rest. It’s an opportunity for guys to get reps on defense and offense and all the different things we do. It was just a lot of positives for giving other guys opportunities and allowing Jeff and Pero to play and play without being injured.” — Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer
“Every game you lose is a downer but it’s not as big of a deal if we weren’t going to the playoffs. A lot of guys got some rest and a lot of guys got some minutes and experience. A win would have been a positive but we can learn from it.” — Hawks’ Elton Brand
“Well that was the last option. There were a couple of other options that they (Hawks) took away. They did a good job. It was a good screen from Al (Jefferson), a good cut from (Douglas-Roberts), and then Josh (McRoberts) is a very good inbounder. He made a great shot to win the game.” — Bobcats coach Steve Clifford told the Charlotte media.
Notable
The Hawks had a three-game win streak snapped and lost for the second time in the past seven games. The loss ended an 11-game win streak over the Bobcats, who rested four starters for the entire fourth quarter.
Bobcats highlight
Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour each had 10 fourth-quarter points in the comeback. The Bobcats have won seven of their past eighth and are the seventh seed in the East but have a chance to claim the sixth spot. They won despite sitting most of their starters for the fourth quarter.
Bobcats lowlight
In a game they needed to win to stay in the hunt for that sixth seed, the Bobcats fell behind by 15 against a second-string Hawks lineup.
Next
The Hawks play their final regular-season game Wednesday at the Milwaukee Bucks before opening the playoffs this weekend in Indianapolis.
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