Hawks claim playoff spot
atlanta — The Atlanta Hawks clinched the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference Saturday as Jeff Teague scored 25 points in a 98-85 win over the defending champion Miami Heat.
Lou Williams scored 23 points for Atlanta who claimed the final playoff berth in their conference.
Atlanta had a 25-21 record on February 4 but went into a 6-20 tailspin before winning six of its last eight National Basketball Association games.
“It’s satisfying to get a win and be in a groove that we’re in,” Williams said.
The Hawks qualified for the postseason for a seventh straight season. They scored 29 points off 20 Miami turnovers.
Dwyane Wade scored 16 firsthalf points on a perfect seven-for- seven shooting. He finished with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting for the Heat, who are tied with the Indiana Pacers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Wade missed his last nine games because of a hamstring injury.
LeBron James posted 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists in defeat. —