Lakers fall apart in second half of 114-100 loss to Hawks
The Lakers fell to the Hawks on the road Monday night in Atlanta, 114-100.
After a strong first half, the Lakers allowed 67 points in the second, getting simply outworked by the Hawks.
Six Hawks scored in double figures including Al Horford (19), Paul Millsap (18), Jeff Teague (17), Mike Scott (14), DeMarre Carroll (13) and Kyle Korver (11).
Nick Young scored 23 off the bench in the losing effort, hitting 5 of 7 shots from three-point range. His teammates shot 0 for 14 from the same distance (23.8% in total).
Jordan Hill hit all eight of his shot attempts to score 21. Pau Gasol shot 7 of 9 for 16, but only converted 2 of 4 after the first quarter. Gasol led the Lakers with 10 rebounds.
Kobe Bryant scored just eight points with six assists and five turnovers (four turnovers in the first few minutes of the game). Xavier Henry scored 18 off the bench.
Atlanta hit 11-27 from three-point range (40.7%) and 48.9% from the field. The Lakers shot 47.6% from the field, but their issues were primarily on the defensive end in the second half.
The Hawks made up a sizable halftime deficit on the glass to finish with 15 offensive rebounds (44 overall) to the Lakers’ 12 (31 overall).
With the loss, the Lakers dip to 11-13. They’ll travel to Memphis to play the Grizzlies on Tuesday night.
The Hawks (13-12) host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
Hawks 82, Lakers 73 (end of third quarter)
The Lakers fell apart in the third quarter, scoring just 19 points while giving up 35 to the Hawks.
A 60-53 Lakers’ advantage quickly turned to an eight-point deficit with Atlanta hitting the Lakers with a 17-2 run.
Kyle Korver hit a trio of three-pointers. The Hawks dominated the glass in the third and got 16 points from Al Horford, 15 from Paul Millsap and 11 from Korver.
The Lakers shot 47.7% as a team with 13 turnovers. Kobe Bryant had just six points with four assists and four turnovers. Jordan Hill and Nick Young led the Lakers with 17.
Lakers 54, Hawks 47 (halftime)
The Hawks rallied from a 10-point deficit to take a 43-41 lead with just under four minutes left in the half.
The Lakers responded, closing the second period on a 13-4 run to take a seven-point lead into the break.
Jordan Hill led the Lakers with 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting. Gasol had 11 on 5-for-6 shooting. The Lakers shot 47.9% from the field.
The Hawks’ bench gave the Lakers trouble. Shelvin Mack led the Hawks with nine points. Elton Brand scored eight and Mike Scott seven.
Atlanta shot 45.5% from the field but had just 17 rebounds. The Lakers had 28, led by nine from Gasol.
Lakers 28, Hawks 20 (end of first quarter)
Pau Gasol scored 10 points on perfect 5-for-5 shooting to help give the Lakers an eight-point lead after a quarter in Atlanta over the Hawks.
Kobe Bryant, starting again at point guard, scored six points with two assists (and four turnovers).
The Lakers shot 52% from the field with a 16-8 advantage on the glass.
Jeff Teague led the Hawks with five points. Atlanta shot just 40.9%, matching the Lakers with five turnovers.
Pregame
The Lakers (11-12) play their third road game in four nights as they visit the Atlanta Hawks (12-12).
The Lakers won a close game over the Hawks in early November (105-103).
Atlanta has been one of the best franchises in the Eastern Conference, even if they’re just a .500 team.
For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Hawks.
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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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