Hawks crush Nets to advance in playoffs

NEW YORK, USA – The top-seeded Atlanta Hawks romped past the Brooklyn Nets 111-87 on Friday, May 1 (Saturday in Manila) to punch their ticket to the second round of the NBA playoffs.

The Hawks used a strong start to the second half to turn a slim lead at the interval into a blow-out, completing a four-games-to-two triumph over the Nets in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series.

“We believe,” Atlanta forward DeMarre Carroll said. “And we believe that when we are playing the right way, as you’ve seen tonight, we can beat anybody.”

Paul Millsap had 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, Kyle Korver drained 6 three-pointers and scored 20 points to go with 8 rebounds and Jeff Teague handed out 13 assists for Atlanta, who will face the Washington Wizards in the second round.

Atlanta will host game one on Sunday against a Wizards team that swept the Toronto Raptors in 4 games to advance.

The Hawks won 3 of their 4 regular-season games against Washington.

Atlanta stretched their 6-point halftime lead to as many as 26 with a 23-3 scoring run to start the third quarter.

Korver connected on three of his long-range baskets during the surge, including a three-pointer that stretched Atlanta’s lead to 74-48.

The Hawks outscored the Nets 41-21 in the third period as they became the first team to win a road game in the series.

Brook Lopez posted 19 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Nets. – Rappler.com