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The Atlanta Hawks drop their second straight game for the first time this season with a 109-92 loss to the Orlando Magic. Atlanta's offensive struggles continued as they once again failed to produce points with any type of rhythm. The loss snaps Atlanta's 11 game winning streak against Orlando and is their first loss to Orlando in seven games at Philips Arena.
The Hawks got off to a quick start scoring the first seven points of the game and forcing an early Orlando timeout. The Magic came right back and closed the first quarter with a 26-25 lead. Atlanta went back in front in the second thanks to a nice first half from Jeff Teague.
Atlanta scored the first four points of the second half and extended their lead to 57-49 early on. Orlando came roaring back and an Arron Afflalo three put them in front 69-67 with just over five minutes to go in the 3rd. That bucket was the beginnings of a 27-6 run that would stretch into the fourth quarter and effectively take Atlanta out of the game.
It was the second straight game where Atlanta's offense stagnated. Their struggles in the third quarter started with turnovers which ignited Orlando's fast break. As the Hawks started to struggle offensively they seemed to lose focus on defense as Jameer Nelson beat them on a couple of nice back door cuts.
Teague finished with 15 points and six assists for the Hawks but also turned the ball over four times, three of which came in the decisive third quarter. Al Horford also finished with 15 points and five rebounds on 7-10 shooting. Lou Williams chipped in 11 points off the bench while Paul Millsap finished with 10.
Kyle Korver extended his consecutive games streak with a made three to 88 games in the second quarter but it would be his only basket of the game going 1-6 along with three turnovers. Shelvin Mack sparked the Hawks with six points and two assists in eight minutes of the first half before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Mack did not return in the second half.
Afflalo led the Magic with 26 points on 9-18 shooting including 4-7 from deep. Victor Oladipo and Andrew Nicholson finished with 18 points each while Nikola Vucevic added 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Orlando shot 51 percent for the game and outrebounded the Hawks 43-35.
Things don't get any easier for the Hawks who head to Houston for a matchup with the Rockets on Wednesday.