76ers 98, Hawks 87
Spencer Hawes scored 14 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98-87 win over the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on Saturday.
Philadelphia (17-7) picked up its fourth straight win over Atlanta (16-8), which has opened a four-game home stand with back-to-back losses.
Hawes, returning for the first time in 10 games due to an Achilles injury, led a balanced offensive assault for the Sixers, who had six players in double figures. Philadelphia’s bench, which averages more than 42 points per game, contributed with 54 points in the win.
The 76ers took a 57-41 lead into the break, shooting 55 percent and closing the first half on a 26-11 run. Philadelphia would extend that lead in the third quarter before coming out flat in the fourth. Atlanta would jump out to a 17-9 run to pull within 11 points, but couldn’t cut the lead to a single figure.
Jeff Teague paced the Hawks with 21 points, mixing up takes to the basket and long-range jumpers. Joe Johnson chipped in with 16 points.
Atlanta forward Josh Smith struggled to get going, missing his first seven shots and finishing just 2 for 11. He had nine points, 10 rebounds and a season-high seven blocks.
Backup center Nikola Vucevic led the Sixers with 15 points, while fellow reserves Louis Williams and Thaddeus Young each finished with 14 points.
Twenty-seven-year-old rookie Ivan Johnson played inspired basketball for the Hawks. At 6-foot-8, Johnson filled in at center and scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against much taller defenders.