Josh Smith returned to Philips Arena — and the Hawks were most unwelcoming hosts.
The Hawks pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 93-85 victory over the Pistons Wednesday night at Philips Arena. Three-point plays, two by Mike Scott and one by Lou Williams, in the final period helped the Hawks comfortable margin.
For the Hawks (7-5) it was the 10th consecutive home victory over the Pistons.
Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 19 points. Jeff Teague (18 points), DeMarre Carroll (11), Scott (11) and Al Horford (10) were the other double-digit scorers. Carroll also a career-high 12 rebounds for his first double-double.
Smith, a longtime Hawk and local product, finished with 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting (0-of-4 from 3-point range). Brandon Jennings led the Pistons (4-7) with 21 points. Rodney Stuckey added 18.
The Hawks, who have not lost two games in a row this season, used a 14-3 run in the final period to push their lead to double digits. The run ended with a pair of technical free throws by Kyle Korver after Pistons coach Mo Cheeks was ejected with 2:36 during a timeout.
The Hawks took a 66-64 lead into the final quarter on the strength of consecutive 3-pointers by Carroll, Williams and Korver.
Korver extended his streak to 85 consecutive games with a 3-pointer. He is now four shy of the NBA record.
Smith received mostly cheers in a mixed reaction during his pregame introduction. In a change from his nine seasons as a Hawk, the Philips Arena cheered every time he took an outside shot and implored him to take more. He rimmed a first-quarter 3-point attempt to the delight of the crowd.
The Pistons led 46-43 at the intermission after both teams suffered through woeful shooting performances in the first quarter. The Hawks shot 6-of-21 (28.6 percent), and the Pistons shot 6-of-23 (26.1 percent). That’s a combined 12-of-44 (27.3 percent). The Pistons started the game 1-of-10 from the floor.
The Hawks shot 12-of-16 (75 percent) and the Pistons 13-of-21 (61.9 percent) in the much-improved second quarter.
The teams meet again Friday night in Auburn Hills, Mich.
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