The Hawks came up inches short – after they had miles to climb.
Atlanta erased a 21-point first-half deficit to Los Angeles only to lose 105-103 to the Lakers on a pair of free throws in the final six seconds Sunday night at a sold out Staples Center.
The Hawks used a 20-8 run between the third and fourth quarters to reduce their deficit with single digits. The comeback was complete when Kyle Korver drained a long 3-pointer with 1:16 remaining and Paul Millsap hit a jumper with 35.3 seconds remaining for a 103-103 tie.
After Gasol missed in the lane, Jordan Hill fought through Hawk defenders to grab the offensive rebound for the Lakers. Millsap was called for a blocking foul on Gasol in the closing seconds. After the official used a video review, the call stood. Gasol made the two free throws.
The Hawks (1-2) got the ball to Korver who had his potential game-tying shot blocked by Gasol and time expired.
“I think we have to play through some games,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “No matter how much you practice and how much you talk about things ultimately you have to play through games. Tonight was one of those nights where we played through a game and we’ll be better and we’ll be smarter for it.”
Millsap said only “there was contact” when questioned about the blocking foul. Budenholzer said he would wait to watch game film before making a judgment on Hill’s key rebound.
The Hawks placed six players in double figures led by Korver with 22 points, including 6 of 6 from 3-point range. He extended his streak to 76 consecutive games with a 3-pointer. It is the fourth longest in NBA history and two behind third-place Dennis Scott and three behind third-place Michael Adams.
“All the action was behind me so I really couldn’t see it,” Korver said of his final shot. “I felt good so I wanted to take the shot. I turned. I guess Al was open. I’m sure when I watch the film I’ll have a different read of something else I should have done. He did a good job of getting out there and blocking it.”
Millsap (14 points), Jeff Teague (14), Mike Scott (13), Al Horford (12) and Dennis Schroder (10) were the other Hawks in double figures. Horford had his second straight double-double with 16 rebounds.
Xavier Henry, just inserted in the starting lineup, led the Lakers (2-2) with 18 points.
The Hawks lost for the eighth straight time at Los Angeles even as the Lakers played without Kobe Bryant, still recovering from a torn Achilles.
The Hawks dug themselves the early hole as the Lakers by giving up 33 first-quarter points and trailed 62-49 at the half. The Lakers opened the 21-point first-half lead thanks in large part to their 3-point shooting. The Lakers shot 8 of 13 (61.5 percent) from long range in the first half with eight different players connecting. They finished the game with nine 3-pointers.
“We have to be more ready,” Budenholzer said. “We can’t put ourselves in a position where we have to respond. That is the most important thing to take away from this. I think they had 33 points in the first quarter and 62 at halftime. That is a lot of points and it’s not good enough defense.”
It was the 3-pointer that helped the Lakers break open the game in the first quarter. They went on a 14-2 run, to take a 25-12 lead, that included four straight 3-pointers.
As the Lakers were scoring from the 3-point line, the Hawks struggled from the free-throw line. The Hawks finished 14 of 26 (53.8 percent). If the Hawks made half the free throws they missed, they would have won going away.
At one point in the second quarter the Lakers were shooting 70 percent (7 of 10) from the 3-point line while the Hawks were shooting 28.6 percent (2 of 7) from the free-throw line.
The Hawks continue their three-game road trip at the Kings Tuesday.
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