Hawks composed in late-game win
The Atlanta Hawks finally rediscovered the late-game composure that helped take them to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
Trae Young scored 27 points to lead six Atlanta scorers in double figures and the Hawks held off the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-106.
The Hawks, who snapped a two-game losing streak, are in danger of missing the postseason. They began the night 10th in the Eastern Conference, holding the final spot in the play-in tournament. The Clippers are eighth in the
West.
The Clippers trailed only 108-106 following Ivica Zubac’s hook with 56 seconds remaining. Zubac had 24 points and 12 rebounds.
De’Andre Hunter answered with a short jumper for Atlanta.
“That’s important for us, especially coming down the stretch,” Young said about the Hawks’ late-game poise.
Other games
Hornets 142, Pelicans 120: Miles Bridges had 27 points and nine assists and
Terry Rozier highlighted his 27-point performance with seven 3-pointers as visiting Charlotte put on a shooting exhibition to beat undermanned New Orleans.
Grizzlies 118, Knicks 114: Ja Morant scored 37 points with eight assists and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ziaire Williams added 13 each in the Memphis win against visiting New York.
Magic 118, Timberwolves
110: Mo Bamba scored 27 points with 12 rebounds and Wendell Carter Jr. added 20 points and 10 rebounds as Orlando defeated visiting Minnesota.
Celtics 114, Pistons 103: Jayson Tatum had 31 points and eight rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 22 points as Boston beat visiting Detroit for its fifth victory in a row. Marcus Smart added 20 points for the Celtics.
Heat 117, Cavaliers 105: Bam Adebayo led the way with 30 points and 17 rebounds, and a pair of big third-quarter runs helped host Miami beat Cleveland.
Mavericks 113, Rockets
100: Luka Doncic scored 30 points and Dwight Powell had 26 and visiting Dallas built a big lead and coasted to victory against Houston.