Brooklyn Gets 7-Game Win Streak Snapped By Short-Handed Hawks
ATLANTA (AP) -- Jeff Teague had a career-high 28 points and 11 assists, Zaza Pachulia finished two assists shy of a triple-double and the short-handed Atlanta Hawks beat Brooklyn 109-95 on Wednesday night to stop the Nets' seven-game winning streak.
The Hawks played without leading scorer Josh Smith, suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount for "conduct detrimental to the team" following an incident in practice Tuesday.
The Hawks, who had lost six of seven, almost doubled their point total from Monday night's 97-58 loss at Chicago.
Pachulia had 13 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight assists. Al Horford had 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Brook Lopez had 22 points for the Nets, who lost for only the second time in 11 games under interim coach P.J. Carlesimo.
Smith has missed three games this season, two for health reasons. Each time the Hawks managed an impressive win -- at Oklahoma City in Atlanta's second game of the season and at home over Indiana and Brooklyn.
Joe Johnson had 15 points while shooting 4 of 15 from the field in his return to Atlanta, where he played the past seven seasons. Johnson was a six-time All-Star with the Hawks but drew some boos from Atlanta fans.
After scoring only 20 points in the first half of the loss to the Bulls, including five in the second quarter, the Hawks led the Nets 56-40 at halftime. Their 24 field goals in the half matched their total for the full game against the Bulls.
With every defensive rebound, Hawks coach Larry Drew waved his right arm in windmill fashion and yelled "Let's go!" as he demanded his team push the pace. The Hawks followed his instruction, taking a 19-4 advantage in fast-break points in the first half and a 29-12 advantage for the game.
Atlanta stretched the lead to 73-47 midway through the third quarter.
The Nets closed to 99-87 on a 3-pointer by Deron Williams, who scored 12 points. Andray Blatche also had 12 for the Nets.
The Hawks shot a season-high 57.7 percent from the field. Devin Harris had 18 points. Lou Williams and Kyle Korver each scored 11.
NOTES: Hawks radio play-by-play announcer Steve Holman was honored for calling his 2,000th consecutive game. The streak, which began in 1989 and includes the regular season and playoffs, is the longest of any NBA announcer in radio or television. --- Matt Kenseth, the 2012 Daytona 500 winner, attended the game to promote the Feb. 24 race. --- Hawks G Anthony Morrow (sore lower back) did not play. --- Nets F Gerald Wallace (bruised ribs) did not start but had four points in 15 minutes.
