NBA: Horford helps power Hawks past Raptors
Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) drives against Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko, of Sweden, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Horford finished with 19 points in the Hawks’ 106-103 win. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Al Horford scored 22 points to lift the Atlanta Hawks to their 11th consecutive win with a 110-89 victory over Toronto in a battle between two Eastern Conference heavyweights on Friday.
Horford shot a perfect eight-of-eight from the field and tallied five assists and grabbed five rebounds for the Hawks in front of a crowd of 19,800 at the Air Canada Centre arena.
Not only have the Hawks won 11 straight overall but they have also won a franchise record 11 consecutive on the road.
Atlanta has not won 11 straight overall since it did so in the 1997-98 season. The franchise record for consecutive wins is 14 in the 1993-94 season.
Paul Millsap added 16 points with eight rebounds, while Jeff Teague registered 13 points and nine assists in the win.
DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 25 points, while James Johnson came off the bench to score 17. DeRozan was playing in just his second game since returning from a groin problem.
