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 The Atlanta Hawks hit 11 3-pointers and pulled away from the
Lakers in the second half for a 114-100 win Monday at Philips Arena.
In his fifth game since returning from an Achilles injury, Bryant
struggled throughout the night. He had six assists and five
turnovers in the point guard role and finished with eight points on
4-of-14 shooting.
The Lakers (11-13) fell to 1-4 with Bryant on the court.
The Hawks (13-12) posted a season-high point total and took control
in the third quarter against a short-handed Los Angeles team that
ranks 29th in the NBA in points allowed. The Lakers are allowing an
average of 108.2 points since Bryant returned.
Atlanta guard Kyle Korver missed his first five 3-point attempts
before hitting three in the third quarter to extend his NBA record
streak to 94 games with at least one made 3-pointer. Korver's
3-pointers also ignited a 17-2 run that helped the Hawks erase a
halftime deficit and led them to a 70-62 lead midway through the
third quarter. Atlanta was on top 82-73 heading into the fourth
quarter.
"In the third quarter, I thought our aggressiveness and our
intensity on the defensive end set the tone for a good second half,"
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "I thought the whole group
responded in the second half. Great intensity, great aggressiveness.
I think we played off of our defense. We moved the ball well. We
found the open guy. That's how we want to play."
The Hawks extended their lead to double digits early in the fourth
quarter and were never seriously threatened.
Six Atlanta players scored in double figures, led by center Al
Horford, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Paul Millsap
added 18 points and nine rebounds.
The Hawks had 34 assists on 45 field goals, with point guard Jeff
Teague handing out 10. The Lakers had 18 assists on 39 field goals.
"We struggled tonight on offense," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said.
"At one point, the ball just stopped (moving). It would go to one
side and would stay on that side. We did not compete in the second
half the way (the Hawks) did."
The Lakers got off to a hot start, shooting 52.2 percent from the
floor and jumping out to a 28-20 lead at the end of first quarter.
They wore down in the second half.
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Bryant is forced to play point guard with Steve Nash, Steve
Blake and Jordan Farmar all out due to injuries. Bryant, 35,
turned the ball over 30 times in his five games back.
"We have to do a better job taking the burden off (Bryant),"
D'Antoni said.
Bryant said his surgically repaired left foot stiffened up
during the game.
"That's the next level of progression in playing these games,"
he said. "When you sit out and get back in, I need to keep it
loose. I have to keep my eye on the big picture and focus on
getting better."
Lakers forward Pau Gasol said of playing without a point guard,
"That will continue to be a factor at least for another few
games. Kobe has been a very good playmaker, and he's been
sacrificing himself, which is not always easy when you have a
guy picking you up (full court), because that makes you work
extra hard. We just have to understand what we have to do out
there and make good plays and get easier shots."
Forward Nick Young provided a spark off the Lakers' bench,
finishing with a team-high 23 points, and center Jordan Hill
added 21 points.
The Hawks' second unit was able to cut into the Lakers' lead
early in the second quarter, but Los Angeles took a 54-47 lead
into halftime.
"Guys may not play minutes, but when you come back, you're
ready," said Hawks forward Elton Brand, who had eight points and
seven rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. "Tonight is showed.
I think this is our best effort."
NOTES: Lakers G Kobe Bryant moved into sixth place on the NBA's
all-time minutes list, passing Elvin Hayes. ... The Hawks
recalled G Dennis Schroder from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA
Development League. G Jared Cunningham was assigned to the Jam.
... The Lakers entered Monday's games leading the NBA in made
3-pointers per game at 10.0. ... Hawks PG Jeff Teague received a
technical foul after expressing some frustration to an official
while walking off the court at halftime. ... Hawks PF Gustavo
Ayon missed his fourth straight game with ankle and leg
injuries.
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