Hawks Final Score: Hawks 113, Bobcats 90

The Hawks followed the lead of Devin Harris, Ivan Johnson, and the bench on their way to an easy 113-90 victory over the Bobcats.

Halftime Report: Hawks dominating Bobcats 60-43

The Atlanta Hawks jumped out to early on the Charlotte Bobcats thanks to good early play from Josh Smith and the outside shooting of Kyle Korver, Devin Harris, and Lou Williams. Smith had seven points, three rebounds, and two assists in his 10 minutes of play in the first quarter. Lou hit a pair of threes while Korver and Devin each added five points of their own as the Hawks took a 30-19 lead after the first quarter. The Hawks shot 61.1% from the field in the first quarter, and Larry Drew was able to rest some of his starters thanks to quality play from his bench. The bench group of Lou, Devin, Zaza Pachulia, and Ivan Johnson combined for 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while letting the Hawks starters to get some much needed rest on the second game of a back-to-back and third game in four nights.

The second quarter was much of the same as the Hawks scored another 30 points to push their halftime lead to 60-43. They shot 59.5% for the half including 56.3% from three (9-of-16). Devin Harris led the Hawks with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting including three three-pointers. Josh Smith had 12 points while Korver added 10. Atlanta's defense was stifling as the Bobcats shot just 35.9% from the field and turned it over eight times.

Hawks vs. Bobcats Game Thread

The Atlanta Hawks will be taking on the Charlotte Bobcats with a chance of tying the Heat for 1st in the Southeast Division and 2nd in the Eastern Conference.

Hawks go with small lineup against the Bobcats

Larry Drew has set the Hawks starting lineup as Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeShawn Stevenson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford. Kyle Korver returns to the starting lineup in his second game back after suffering from back spasms. Anthony Morrow struggled in the starting role against the Magic last night shooting just 2-for-11 and Korver looked very good in his minutes. Drew said that Korver's minutes will be limited again, but he did not give an exact number; he just said it will be more than 20 minutes (the limit placed on him in Orlando).

The Hawks have not used as deep a rotation in recent games, but when I asked Drew about the possibility of him extending his bench's minutes tonight coming off of a back-to-back he said, "Yeah, that's a possibility. There's been some guys logging some big minutes and I have to be mindful of that and might stretch it out a little bit more and probably get a couple other guys and get them some playing time so we don't wear our starters out." Ivan has not played in three of the last four games and Zaza should be fresh playing only 18 minutes in each of the last two games so if the Hawks can build a lead, expect Drew to try and get some rest for Al and Josh who have played close to 40 minutes in each of the last four games.

Bobcats vs. Hawks preview, time, TV, radio info and more

The Atlanta Hawks will play their third game in four days Thursday night when they return home for a matchup with the Charlotte Bobcats.