Inside the box score and more of the Hawks’ 100-96 loss to the Hornets Friday:

Key players

* Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

* Nicolas Batum led the Hornets with a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds.

* Cody Zeller finished with 23 points for the Hornets.

Key stat

The Hawks were 7 of 28 from 3-point range. Back court players were a combined 3 of 20.

Noteworthy

* Kent Bazemore had 19 points on 8 of 15 shooting for the Hawks.

* Malcolm Delaney had a career-high eight assists.

* The Hawks bench outscored the Hornets bench 29-17.

* Dwight Howard had his ninth double-double, including reaching double digits in rebounds in the first half. His 18 rebounds were one shy of his season-high.

* The Hawks entered the game leading the NBA in force turnovers at 17.6 per game. The Hornets turned the ball over just 11 times.

Quotable

“It wasn’t like I tried to hit him in the face. My job is to protect my house. At all costs. I ain’t making no apologies for it.” – Dwight Howard on ejection

Next

The Hawks finish a two-game road trip in New York with an afternoon game against the Knicks.