Hawks 124, 76ers 101
PHILADELPHIA -- Larry Drew challenged his players before the game to come out with a sense of urgency.
Message received.
The Atlanta Hawks coach watched his team build a nine-point halftime lead and then proceed to run past the Philadelphia 76ers, 124-101, Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Josh Smith led the Hawks with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Four other Hawks reached double figures -- John Jenkins (21), Mike Scott (17), Al Horford (16) and Jeff Teague (13).
In the process, the Hawks (43-36) snapped a maddening three-game losing streak. They also broke a four-game skid at Philadelphia and moved into a tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race with the Chicago Bulls.
Thaddeus Young paced the Sixers with 28 points while Nick Young had 19. Dorell Wright scored 15 points while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 12.
It was the third straight loss for Philadelphia (31-47) and its second rout in two nights. On Tuesday, the Sixers fell at Brooklyn 104-83.
The frustration was evident as the Hawks went on a 18-6 run in the third quarter to take a 77-57 lead with 5:51 remaining. During the spurt, Holiday picked up a rare technical foul for arguing a non-call with the officials.
Holiday missed nine of his first 11 shots and the frustration was visible on the face of the first time All-Star.
The Hawks were very effective offensively in the first half, going 22 for 44 from the field and 10 for 10 from the free throw line. They even connected on half their shots -- 5 for 10 -- from 3-point territory.
Smith had 17 points while Jenkins and Scott contributed 10 points each as the Hawks built a 59-51 advantage.
Thaddeus Young kept the Sixers close with a stellar first half. Young was 11 for 16 and finished with 22 points and six rebounds. He was the only Philadelphia player in double figures and his offensive output was the most by any Sixer in any half this entire season.
NOTES: Hawks forward Josh Smith scored in double figures for the 68th time this season. Smith had 11 points in the first quarter alone. ... Spencer Hawes started at center for the Sixers for the 36th straight game after coming off the bench the first 42 games. ... Atlanta center Johan Petro was inactive for personal reasons. ... Evan Turner is the only Sixers player to have started every game this season. ... The Sixers' final home game will be Sunday against the Cavaliers. Many of the Sixers' players from the 1982-83 championship season are expected to be in attendance. ... Devin Harris started at guard for the Hawks despite being questionable with a sore left foot.
