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The Atlanta Hawks overcame a late deficit to hand the Milwaukee Bucks a 104-99 to clinch the season series between the two teams and further distance themselves from the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta trailed 97-92 with 2:45 remaining but finished the game with a 12-2 run thanks to some late turnovers and missed free throws by the Bucks.
Josh Smith's lay in with 33 seconds remaining tied the game at 99-99. Anthony Tolliver came up with a key steal of a Monta Ellis pass to J.J. Redick that resulted in Dahntay Jones being fouled at the other end. Jones made the first but missed the second but Tolliver grabbed the offensive board for the Hawks.
Al Horford extended the lead to 102-99 with a pair of free throws and the Bucks took possession with 20 seconds remaining. Monta Ellis missed a long three point attempt but Mike Dunleavy ran down the offensive board but traveled after thinking he was fouled on the play. The Hawks took over and Jeff Teague iced the game with two free throws.
Al Horford led the way for the Hawks with 24 points and seven rebounds on 10-16 shooting. Josh Smith added 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Devin Harris chipped in 16 points and four assists before leaving early in the fourth with a sore foot. Jeff Teague overcame a slow start to finish with 14 points and eight assists.
Atlanta hit half of their field goal attempts and were 10-26 from three point range. They relied heavily on the three pointer early in the game but attempted only two during the decisive fourth quarter. Atlanta's three point shooting helped them to overcome a 24-8 Milwaukee advantage in second chance points.
Monta Ellis scored 11 of his team high 20 points in the fourth. Ersan Ilyasova returned from a three game absence to finish with 19 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out. Larry Sanders recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards. Brandon Jennings added 12 points and 13 assists but went scoreless in the fourth going 0-5 from the field.
The Hawks have one more matchup remaining with the Bucks this season and will continue their road trip on Monday in Indiana against the Pacers.