Atlanta Hawks Win Fifth Straight, Entire Team Scoring

The Atlanta Hawks continue to roll as they comfortable defeated the Memphis Grizzlies last night, 110-97.

Despite a slow start and seven turnovers in the first quarter, head coach Mike Woodson refocused his team and the Hawks outscored the Grizzlies 88-73 in the final three quarters.

Following a blowout win over the New Jersey Nets on Sunday, a game in which all 11 Hawks players that played scored; the Hawks emptied their bench last night and had all 12 players score at least four points.

In the Hawks’ game against the Nets, Woodson used every player except for veteran Joe Smith. However, Smith was suffering from a thumb injury and was not expected to play.

In their last two games, the Hawks have had 12 players score double-digits in points, having seven players reach double figures against the Nets on Sunday.

Maurice Evans got the start against the Nets, filling in for Marvin Williams who was suffering from a stomach flu.

He led the Hawks with 22 points in 34 minutes of action. He went 8-of-13 from the field and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the three-point line.

Williams was back in the starting lineup last night against Memphis, but only logged 17 minutes.

Evans stepped in again, this time off of the bench. He had another great night from the three-pointer, knocking 3-of-6 from downtown.

Joe Johnson had a game-high 26 points even though he did not play the entire fourth quarter.

The starters were not the only ones doing the scoring against the Nets and Grizzlies.

The bench scored 43 of the team’s 130 points against the Nets on Sunday; good for 33 percent of the team’s scoring output.

The bench got 42 points last night against Memphis; accounting for 38 percent of Atlanta’s scoring.

The win at home improves the Hawks record to 11-2 at Philips Arena. Only the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets have more wins at home so far this season.

Atlanta improves to 18-6 overall and trail the Orlando Magic by a half-game for second in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics have a two-game lead over the Hawks for first place overall.

The Celtics have won 11 in-a-row and have a league best 12-1 road record. They are 8-3 at the Garden.

Atlanta hosts the Utah Jazz at home Friday night.