Al Horford and Josh Smith lead Atlanta Hawks to a 95-79
victory over Golden State Warriors
Al Horford scored a double-double while Josh Smith erupted with 26 points as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Golden State Warriors 95-79 on Friday night. Hawks won their first game after the All-Star break and snapped a three game
losing streak. The game took place at the ORACLE Arena, Oakland.
The Hawks were slow to start, but they grabbed the pace quickly. Smith put the Hawks in front 6-4 with his slam dunk, just after two minutes of play. However, Warriors’ David Lee slashed the deficit in the next minute, with a 20-foot
jumper and then hit two free throws to give the Warriors an 8-6 lead. At the midway point of the frame, Al Horford came into the action with a 15-footer gave Hawks a 12-10 lead. Hawks then kept on building the lead and did not allow opposition to come close.
At the end of the first quarter Hawks made 29 points, while Warriors scored 17.
Hawks kept going with the same pace in the second section as well. At one stage Hawks stretched the lead up to 19 points. But the moment which showed that this game is well and truly overcame in the last few seconds of the second
section, when Warriors' Stephen Curry was holding the ball for a final shot, and lost it to Joe Johnson, who sailed down the court for an unchallenged slam dunk just as time finished. Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob buried his face in his hand in response. Hawks
were leading by 20 points at the close of first half 55-35.
After the first half, Hawks started off from where they left. Smith scored 11 points and Horford added 10 points for the Hawks in the third segment. From Warriors David Lee made 10 points. Hawks led the third segment as well 81-55.
With a lead of 26 points and just one quarter to go, Hawks fell relaxed. This allowed Warriors to score more points than Hawks. Warriors made 24 points in the fourth part while Hawks scored just 14 points, which is their lowest
quarter score in the whole game. Despite all of this, Hawks end up winning the game by 16 points.
Al Horford scored 22 points, had 13 rebounds and provided seven assists. Smith also had nine boards and provided four assists for the Hawks.
"I felt that we really made an effort to contest and challenge every shot. It's a little frustrating for me, because I wish that we played like this all the time. I hope there's no looking back now. We saw how we can play. Now
we have to be able to keep it up."
Al Horford said about the Hawks' defensive performance.
Hawks coach Larry Drew disrupted the Warriors' point guard Stephen Curry's game, by including Jeff Teague, the temporary substitute for departed Mike Bibby.
"I'm not concerned about whether he makes or misses shots. . . . The biggest threat [from] him is when he utilizes his speed and his quickness, and when he harasses people defensively. That's two straight games where I've thought
he's done a really good job with his energy."
Hawks coach Larry Drew on Teague.
David Lee made 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors, who left for a seven game road trip on a bad note.
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