NBA: Millsap powers East-leading Hawks over Bucks

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap, left, pulls down a rebound against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jared Dudley, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Milwaukee. AP

MILWAUKEE, United States – Paul Millsap scored 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks snapped a two-game losing streak Sunday with a 97-86 NBA victory at Milwaukee.

The Hawks improved the best record in the Eastern Conference to 44-12, six games ahead of second-place Toronto, while the Bucks slid to 31-24, a game behind Washington for fifth in the East.

Atlanta’s 19-8 road record this season is the best of any Eastern Conference club. The Hawks won their sixth consecutive Milwaukee appearance.

Atlanta also had 15 points and eight rebounds from Al Horford, 12 points each from Kyle Korver and Dennis Schroeder and 10 points each from DeMarre Carroll and Jeff Teague. Schroeder also added a game-high nine assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton each scored 19 points to lead the Bucks, who also had 15 points off the bench from O.J. Mayo and 13 points from Jerryd Bayless.

Michael Carter-Williams, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, did not play for the Bucks.

He was obtained from the Philadelphia 76ers. Carter-Williams averaged 15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists over 41 games with the 76ers this season but has a nagging toe injury.

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