Hawks, minus 7 players in COVID protocols, edge 76ers
Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Hawks defeated the 76ers 98-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Mitchell Leff / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Cam Reddish scored 18 points, John Collins added 17 and the depleted Atlanta Hawks defeated the host Philadelphia 76ers 98-96 on Thursday.
Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, Skylar Mays had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Onyeka Okongwu added 13 points for the Hawks, who had lost four of their previous five games. Gorgui Dieng also chipped in with 12 points.
Atlanta was without Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams, Clint Capela, Danilo Gallinari, Sharife Cooper and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot due to the health and safety protocols. Also out were De’Andre Hunter (wrist) and Solomon Hill (hamstring).
“That’s what we do. ATL basketball.”@BigO21_ x @AnnieFinberg pic.twitter.com/5K1UDN1ZFl
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 24, 2021
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid amassed 23 points and 10 rebounds but missed a potential tying jumper from the wing at the buzzer. Tyrese Maxey added 17 points, Tobias Harris contributed 16 and Seth Curry had 12.
Philadelphia had Georges Niang, Danny Green, Shake Milton and Andre Drummond sidelined because of COVID-19 protocols.
The Hawks jumped out to a 32-13 lead late in the first quarter, but the Sixers rallied and tied the game at 51 heading to halftime.
Collins led the Hawks with 11 first-half points while Maxey provided a spark off the Philadelphia bench with 11.
The 76ers tightened up on defense early in the third quarter and then also took advantage on the offensive end. Curry dropped in a 3-pointer and followed with a driving layup for a 58-54 lead.
The Hawks came back with an 11-0 run keyed by Delon Wright’s trey and eight points from Reddish for a 65-58 advantage with 7:24 left in the third.
The Sixers responded but still trailed 79-75 heading to the final period.
When Harris hit a jumper with 8:03 to go in the fourth, the Sixers equalized at 83.
The Hawks went back ahead 86-85 with 6:11 left after Mays scored in the lane.
Embiid knocked down a 3-pointer and added a pair of free throws for a 90-86 lead with 4:31 remaining.
Bogdanovic, who missed his first 13 shots, hit four clutch baskets down the stretch, including a jumper for a 98-92 lead with 1:25 left.
