Hawks 95, Hornets 86
Share This Story
NEW ORLEANS (AP)
The new year opened with a scene hauntingly familiar from the past for the New Orleans Hornets.
Josh Smith scored 10 of his team-high 23 points in the third quarter to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 95-86 victory over the Hornets on Tuesday night.
New Orleans was outscored 28-14 in the decisive period, turning a 50-44 halftime lead into a 72-64 deficit. The Hornets were six of 16 in the quarter, committed four turnovers and were outscored 6-0 in the final 2:22.
On Dec. 22 Indiana held the Hornets to seven points in the third quarter, resulting in an 81-75 loss.
''We just didn't put up much of a fight,'' Hornets coach Monty Williams said. ''We just didn't have execution and didn't play with a lot of force tonight. Their bigs did a very good job of dominating the game.
The Hawks frontcourt of Smith, Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia combined for 55 points, 26 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and five blocked shots.
Kyle Korver added 14 points for Atlanta, which spoiled the homecoming of Hornets guard Eric Gordon.
Gordon, playing in his first home game this season, scored 11 points on 5 of 17 shooting. Gordon, who had spent most of the season recovering from a knee injury, made his season debut in a victory over Charlotte this past Saturday.
Ryan Anderson scored 23 points, Greivis Vasquez 17 and Robin Lopez 10 for the Hornets, who had won two of their past three. Vasquez, selected the NBA Player of the Week on Monday, recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 10 assists.
''We had a letdown in the first two quarters,'' Smith said. ''I wanted to come out with energy and effort, so I was happy when I made some shots in the third quarter and was very efficient. ''
Gordon, logging 23 minutes, and was of 2 of 10 in the second half.
''I felt like I missed some shots I should have made,'' he said. ''In the second half they did a good job keeping me from getting to the goal.''
The Hornets' Anthony Davis struggled from the floor, making four of nine shots for nine points but had 12 rebounds and four blocked shots.
New Orleans also struggled from the free throw line, making 4 of 12, the .333 percentage setting a franchise record.
The Hornets had defeated the Hawks in six of the past 10 meetings and appeared to be in control early, leading 21-10 late in the first quarter. But Atlanta closed on a 12-5 run with Vasquez and Lopez on the bench for the final three minutes, cutting the lead to 26-22.
In the fourth quarter, New Orleans twice cut the lead to two points, the last coming on Vasquez's free throw with 4:14 remaining. But Korver answered with a trey off of a Horford assist to put the Hawks up 87-82 with 3:57 left.
''I think everyone was waiting on (Gordon) to do something, be Superman,'' Williams said. ''That's not what we're about. We're a team and I got to find a good rotation.''
NOTES: Smith's 13 rebounds put him over the 5,000 mark for his career. ... Vasquez's nine rebounds left him one short of what would have been his second triple-double of the season. ... Atlanta has two days off before traveling to Detroit, the final leg of a three-game road trip.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Sergio sorry for 'fried chicken' line
Sergio Garcia apologized to Tiger Woods for saying he would have ''fried chicken'' at... -
Long history of Tiger-Sergio squabble
The nearly 15-year squabble between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia has reached a new l... -
Woodson heading back to Oakland
Woodson will join a secondary that is being overhauled for the second straight season... -
Ex-Bears LB Brian Urlacher retires
Star linebacker Brian Urlacher says he's retiring after spending 13 seasons with the ... -
WWE looking to recruit cut NFL-ers
WWE looking to recruit wrestlers from NFL scrap heap.
NBA Videos
NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects
Posted: May 21, 2013
Check out highlights FOXSports.com's top five draft prospects. Who do you think ...
Check out highlights FOXSports.com's top five draft prospects. Who do you think ...
Duncan talks Game 2 OT win
Posted: May 22, 2013
Tim Duncan on the Spurs Game 2 win and the flagrant foul called on Manu Ginobili...
Tim Duncan on the Spurs Game 2 win and the flagrant foul called on Manu Ginobili...
Hollins on Z-Bo's Game 2 performance
Posted: May 22, 2013
What did Lionel Hollins think of Zach Randolph's game on Tuesday. Find out.
What did Lionel Hollins think of Zach Randolph's game on Tuesday. Find out.
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Clippers/browse/featuredproduct/491845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/620470/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_620000/ff_620470_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey.. |
| Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Antonio_Spurs/browse/featuredproduct/692239/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692239_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |
| Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/851828/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851828_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/851842/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851842_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White |
| adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/890174/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890174_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Wh.. |
| adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room Flex Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/890384/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890384_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.99 | adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room F.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.