There is something about the holidays in New York. It inspires a giving attitude.
The Hawks came to the city Saturday - and gave and gave and gave some more. The Hawks committed a season-high 27 turnovers in a 111-106 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Hawks (12-12) couldn’t come back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit although they got as close as two points late in the period.
Lou Williams led the Hawks with a season-high 27 points. Paul Millsap added 18 points and nine turnovers before fouling out. Al Horford (17 points), Kyle Korver (13) and Shelvin Mack (10) also scored in double figures. Jeff Teague had four points, four turnovers and six assists.
Williams played in his first back-to-back games since returning from a torn right ACL in November. Korver extended his NBA-record streak to 93 games with a 3-pointer.
Millsap and Horford entered the game as two of four NBA players averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block this season. Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins are the others.
The Knicks (7-16) were led by Carmelo Anthony with a game-high 35 points.
The Knicks took a 57-48 lead into halftime. They used a 12-0 second-quarter run to lead by 11 points and the Hawks were plagued by turnovers. During the stretch, the Hawks failed to score for 3:27. Following a Mike Scott jumper that gave the Hawks a 41-40 lead, they turned the ball over on four straight possessions, missed their long shot, and had another turnover. Not until Williams hit a 3-pointer did the misery end.
The Hawks committed 14 first-half turnovers that led to 17 Knick points.
On the Hawks’ first possession of the second half the committed another turnover. The Knicks started the third quarter with a 5-0 run to lead by 14 points. The Hawks answered with a 23-11 run, including six 3-pointers (three from Korver) to pull within two points, 79-77. They trailed by four going into the final quarter and would get no closer.
The Knicks went on an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 15, 98-83.
By the end of the third quarter they were up to 20 turnovers that led to 27 Knick points.
Millsap (10 points) and Horford (six points) did all the early scoring for the Hawks. They combined for the Hawks’ first 16 points. Not until Pero Antic tipped in a miss with 2:41 left in the first quarter did the run end.
The Hawks host the Lakers Monday.
Notes: Gustavo Ayon missed his third straight game with a left ankle sprain and left leg contusion.
