Hardaway, Scott lead Hawks in rout of 76ers
Atlanta Hawks’ Dennis Schroder of Germany (17) goes up for the shot with Philadelphia 76ers’ Jahlil Okafor (8) defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Philadelphia. AP
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania—Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mike Scott led a balanced attack with 13 points apiece and the Atlanta Hawks coasted to a 124-86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
All 13 players scored and eight finished in double-figures for Atlanta, which swept the three-game season series with an average winning margin of 29 points. The Hawks have won two straight after snapping their three-game losing streak with Monday’s 112-97 home win over Dallas.
Nik Stauskas had 17 points for the 76ers, who dropped to 7-42 with their second-worst loss of the season.
Philadelphia suffered a 51-point blowout, 119-68, at home against San Antonio on Dec. 7. The 76ers have lost 12 games by 20 or more points this season.
The Hawks grabbed a 20-point lead, 66-46, early in the third quarter when Jeff Teague drained a wide-open 3-pointer. Philadelphia answered with 10 of the next 12 to close within 68-56 on Jahlil Okafor’s drive with 6:38 remaining in the period. But Atlanta outscored Philadelphia 20-6 the rest of the quarter to take a commanding 88-62 lead into the fourth.
Dennis Schroder scored the Hawks’ final points of the quarter on a free throw after being fouled by T.J. McConnell with 1.9 seconds left.
A Sixers fan seated in the first level screamed at the referee: “We have seven wins. Cut us a break!”
Atlanta led by as many as 43 points in the fourth.
The atmosphere in Philadelphia was markedly different than the last home game against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. Curry’s appearance created a rare buzz in the arena, and the 76ers seemed to feed off the fans’ energy in a 108-105 loss that featured a late, surprising Philadelphia rally.
Coach Brett Brown felt the 76ers wouldn’t have a letdown against the Hawks due to the lopsided margin of victories in the two previous meetings this season. But Philadelphia played lethargically in a first half that saw them commit 15 turnovers while falling behind 58-42.
The Hawks, who led by 19 points at one point in the opening half, spread out the scoring among 10 players with Kent Bazemore and Mike Muscala leading the way with 10 points apiece.
