Kent Bazemore has big night but Hawks fade in road loss

The Hawks' Kent Bazemore goes up for a shot against the  San Antonio Spurs' Jakob Poeltl. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

The Hawks' Kent Bazemore goes up for a shot against the San Antonio Spurs' Jakob Poeltl. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Kent Bazemore scored 26 points in 24 minutes but the Hawks lost to the Spurs 117-111 in San Antonio Tuesday night.

The Hawks had won six of their last 10. They led by as many as nine points in the second half before the Spurs rallied in the fourth quarter to avoid their second straight loss at home.

Alex Lin scored 21 for the Hawks.

Hawks rookie Trae Young finished with 15 points on 5 of 15 shooting. He was 0-for-6 on 3-pointers but did have six assists and no turnovers.

The Spurs have won the last 21 games against the Hawks in San Antonio. Atlanta has not won there since Feb. 15, 1997. Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock combined for 46 points in a 109-89 victory.

"It's tough winning here, we all know that," said Young. "(But) we had chances to win."

Bazemore's 26-point game marked the first time he eclipsed 20 since scoring 23 against Minnesota on Feb .23.

The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 7.2 points in March, reaching double figures in only six of 15 games.

"My teammates have been in my corner and the coaching staff has been in my corner throughout the past month because it's been tough," Bazemore said. "Sometimes you've just got to let go. Recommitted myself. Shot the ball and it went in tonight."

Bazemore shot 10 for 16 against San Antonio

DeMar DeRozan scored 29 points and Derrick White added 23 points for San Antonio.

Atlanta closed the third quarter on an 18-6 run and carried a 90-86 lead into the fourth. The Hawks made four 3-pointers in the run, including a pair by Len, their 7-foot-1 center.

The Spurs countered with a 15-4 run beginning midway through the final quarter and took a 108-104 lead with 3:39 remaining. White had seven straight points during the outburst, including his third and final 3-pointer in as many attempts.

The Hawks had six players sit out with injuries. Dewayne Dedmon, Alex Poythress  and Omari Spellman each were suffering ankle injuries. Taurean Prince missed his third straight game with a sore foot.

The Hawks are 28-50 and host the 76ers Wednesday night.