The long nightmare is over.
The Hawks ended an eight-game losing streak with a dramatic 107-98 victory over the Knicks Saturday night at Philips Arena. They had to overcome a 17-point deficit to do so.
Playing without Paul Millsap, the team’s latest injury, the Hawks started the fourth quarter with four straight 3-pointers to overcome the huge deficit. Lou Williams hit the first of back-to-back long-range baskets to give the Hawks a 74-73 lead, their first since the second quarter. They pushed the advantage to seven points as Jeff Teague hit a 3-pointer, two free throws and completed a three-point play.
The lead would grow to seven points.
Then nine points.
Then 10 points.
And then 12 points.
A collective sigh of relief could be heard from the Hawks players, coaches and fans.
Mike Scott, Jeff Teague and DeMarre Carroll had huge efforts in the victory. Scott had a career-high 30 points, including 6-of-7 shooting from 3-point range. Teague, playing on a sprained ankle, was aggressive in getting to the basket for 28 points. Carroll finished with a season-high 24 points, including a dagger of a 3-pointer and foul, with under a minute remaining.
The Hawks (26-29, 17-10 home) snapped a three-game losing streak to the Knicks in Atlanta.
Williams added 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the victory. Kyle Korver extended his NBA-record streak to 124 games with a 3-pointer.
The Knicks (21-35, 9-17 road) lost for the 14th time when tied or leading going into the fourth quarter. Carmelo Anthony finished with a game-high 35 points. He was on the bench with four fouls when the Hawks made their decisive run.
The Hawks took a 10-point lead, 33-23, early in the second quarter. Scott started the period by scoring all nine points – by both teams.
Then the Hawks went cold. Ice cold.
The Knicks ended the second quarter on a 29-6 run as the Hawks managed just two field goals – 3-pointers by Scott and Korver – over the final 8:53. The Hawks were 2-of-16 with three turnovers during the drought. The Knicks took a 52-39 advantage into the intermission. They outscored the Hawks 29-15 in the second quarter.
The Hawks missed their first four shots of the third quarter and the Knicks pushed their lead to 17 points. The Hawks closed strong and trailed by just five points, 73-68, going into the final period. Carroll and Williams ended the third quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers. There would be more to come.
The Hawks next host the Bulls on Tuesday.
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