Resurgent Hawks rout Hornets 103-76 for 4th straight victory
ATLANTA - After a maddening, up-and-down season, the Atlanta Hawks seem to be getting hot at just the right time.
Playoff time.
Dwight Howard had 19 points and 12 rebounds as the resurgent Hawks won their fourth straight game, routing the listless Charlotte Hornets 103-76 on Tuesday night to wrap up the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks will face the Washington Wizards in the opening round of the postseason.
"We think we can beat anybody that's coming our way," guard Dennis Schroder said. "We've still got to get better, but we're heading in the right direction for sure."
A week ago, Atlanta's playoff hopes were in jeopardy after a dismal stretch that included two losses to Brooklyn, the worst team in the NBA.
Then, in a sudden turnaround that epitomized the team's inconsistent play all season, the Hawks knocked off East-leading Boston and recorded two straight stunning victories over the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, including Sunday's comeback from a 26-point deficit .
This one was never in doubt. Charlotte played its regular-season finale already eliminated from the playoffs and without its best player, Kemba Walker.
It showed.
Atlanta raced out to a 63-44 lead by halftime, shooting 71 percent (24 of 34) over the first two quarters.
"There was a lot of good stuff at both ends of the court," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said, before adding a word of caution . "We've been here before. We've got to stay hungry, stay edgy. The last four or five games, it's been a simple message: compete and play together.
All 13 players scored for the Hawks, who were able to rest their starters in the second half. Paul Millsap and Ersan Ilyasova added 10 points apiece.
"We showed that we've got a bunch of guys who are ready to play," said backup point guard Jose Calderon, who was on the court for more than 17 minutes. "That gives us confidence."
Jeremy Lamb led the Hornets with 21 points, but it was a forgettable ending to a disappointing year in Charlotte.
"The season was a letdown for us," Lamb said. "We've just to learn from it."