Atlanta took control of the game early and never let go in an eventual 99-92 win over Philadelphia. Both teams struggled in general on offense (hitting roughly 42 percent of their shots), but the Hawks delivered on efficiency from downtown hitting 9-of-18 3-pointers. In comparison, the 76ers settled for draining 11-of-39 from behind the arc. Atlanta was also able to get to the free-throw line often and hit 22-of-26 attempts. With a 39-36 record, they're still just two games clear of the last spot despite being in fifth place.
Hawks deliver from downtown
Small forward Kent Bazemore (11.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg) missed the previous five games with a knee injury, but he came back in a big way with converting 4-of-5 3-point attempts. He finished with 19 points and had a positive passing ratio of four assists to no turnovers. Tim Hardaway Jr. (14.2 ppg) and Ersan Ilyasova (13.4 ppg, 59 rpg) also chipped in with two 3-pointers to aid in the incredible mark from the perimeter for the Hawks.
While that was happening, center Dwight Howard (13.5 ppg, 12.9 rpg) tore it up with 22 points and 20 rebounds. This was the third time that he reached the 20-20 mark this season.
76ers don't have the same success from 3-point range
Philadelphia took 21 more attempts from the perimeter in comparison to Atlanta, but they made just two more of them.
Shooting guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (5.1 ppg) struggled greatly from the field hitting just 2-for-10 shot attempts -- 1-of-7 from 3-point range. Small forward Dario Saric (12.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) finished with 15 points but nailed just 2-of-8 from downtown.
On the bright side, power forward Richaun Holmes (9.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg) was able to hit a very efficient 11-of-16 field goals and led the team with 25 points.
He was also able to reel in eight boards. Not only did they struggle from 3-point range, but they only had 11 free throw attempts compared to the Hawks' 26.
Atlanta hits the road again with their next game in Chicago. The 76ers do the same, and they'll visit Cleveland next.
