Hawks win again, Mavs blitz Heat

PaulMillsap-cropped

The Atlanta Hawks cannot stop winning, claiming a franchise-record 18th straight NBA victory by downing the Portland Trail Blazers 105-99.

Portland led at the end of the first three quarters but they were eventually overhauled as the Hawks outscored the visitors 36-25 in the final quarter at Philips Arena.

The two teams were level four times throughout the fourth until Mike Scott and Paul Millsap sunk three-pointers to give the Hawks (39-8) a 97-91 buffer.

That proved too much for the Trail Blazers (32-15), who lost their fourth game in five outings.

Millsap finished with 21 points as the Hawks won again to improve their record against Western Conference teams to 13-2.

Al Horford (17), Kyle Korver (16), Jeff Teague (13), Kent Bazemore (12) and Scott (11) also had double-digit points for the home team.

LaMarcus Aldridge starred with a game-high 37 points and 11 rebounds but his double-double was not enough to prevent the Trail Blazers from going down to the Hawks.

Damian Lillard also produced a double-double for the Trail Blazers, scoring 13 points and dishing out 11 assists.

The Dallas Mavericks used a devastating second-half to blitz the Miami Heat 93-72 on the road.

Dallas trailed Miami by 12 points at half-time but outscored the Heat 60-27 after the main break to snap a four-game losing streak.

Charlie Villanueva scored 20 points for the Mavs (31-17), while Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki added 12 points apiece.

Hassan Whiteside was a shining light for the Heat (20-26), posting 16 points and 24 rebounds.

The lowly Philadelphia 76ers made it back-to-back wins after beating fellow strugglers the Minnesota Timberwolves 103-94.

Michael Carter-Williams (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) inspired the Sixers with his triple-double.

In other results, the Toronto Raptors prevailed 127-122 against the Brooklyn Nets in overtime.

Cleveland's big three Kevin Love (23 points, 10 rebounds), Kyrie Irving (21 points) and LeBron James (19 points) starred as the Cavaliers saw off the Sacramento Kings 101-90.

Eric Gordon took charge in the absence of injured star Anthony Davis, scoring 28 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 108-103 win against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Houston Rockets edged the Boston Celtics 93-87, the Utah Jazz stunned the Golden State Warriors 110-100 and the Chicago Bulls went down 99-93 to the Phoenix Suns.

Author(s)