![Dwight Howard's double-double helped lead the Hawks to a big win on Tuesday. [Image via Blasting News image library/inquisitr.com]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/4/12/660x290/b_502x220x82/dwight-howards-double-double-helped-lead-the-hawks-to-a-big-win-on-tuesday-image-via-blasting-news-image-libraryinquisitrcom_1267159.jpg "Dwight Howard's double-double helped lead the Hawks to a big win on Tuesday. [Image via Blasting News image library/inquisitr.com]")
On Tuesday Night, the Atlanta Hawks got a double-double from big man Dwight Howard and scoring contributions from every available roster member. That led to the team downing the Charlotte Hornets 103-76 in order to clinch the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference standings for the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Here's a look at how Howard and the Hawks got this big win in their second-to-last game of the NBA regular season.
Atlanta dominates start to finish
In tonight's game, the Atlanta Hawks led 38-26 after the first quarter and never trailed in the match after.
At halftime, it was 63-44 in favor of the home team. Even though the second half was a lower-scoring affair, Atlanta outscored Charlotte 40-32 to close out the game with no issues.
Big man Dwight Howard shot 7-for-9 from the floor and hit five of his seven free throw attempts. The Atlanta Hawks center finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds along with an assist and a block to lead the way. All of his other available Hawks teammates scored in tonight's game with Paul Millsap and Ersan Ilyasova each getting 10 points, while starter Tim Hardaway Jr. added nine points, five rebounds, and three assists.
In the losing effort, it was Jeremy Lamb coming off the Charlotte bench to record 21 points. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Briante Weber, and Treveon Graham each finished with 10 points in the loss.
All-Star Kemba Walker was out of action for this game after an injury he suffered in the loss to Boston this past weekend.
NBA standings & what's next
The Charlotte Hornets' season has now come to a close. The team lost their last five games including tonight's blowout against the Hawks. The Hornets finish the season with a record of 36-46 which was good for fourth in the Southeast Division.
The team won't be participating in the postseason and will see what their luck brings them in May's NBA Draft Lottery. Current speculation is that this team could have a pick as high as No. 11 in the draft, with the projected pick there Miles Bridges from Michigan State.
The Atlanta Hawks (43-38) have now secured the No. 5 spot in the NBA playoffs so they could rest players tomorrow evening.
They'll wrap up their season with a big matchup on Wednesday night starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are still trying to clinch a spot in the postseason, as are the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. That means this final regular season game could carry some impressive playoff implications with it.
