Hawks defeat Anthony Davis-less Pelicans 106-98

The Atlanta Hawks swept the season series against the Pelicans 2-0, with a 106-98 win in Atlanta on Wednesday night.

The Hawks took on the Pelicans, this time at home after facing them less than a week ago when Anthony Davis went off for 43 points, leading a Pelicans second half surge before the Hawks came out on top 121-115. The Pelicans would be without Davis in this one, as he was out with a strained hip that he suffered against the Dallas Mavericks.

The first quarter went as many did for the Hawks so far thus season, neck and neck with the Pelicans, who led 26-24 at the end of the quarter. The biggest lead the entire quarter by either team was 3 points, held twice by the Pelicans. Ish Smith and Ryan Anderson carried the load for the Pelicans, while Al Horford had 10 for the Hawks.

The Pelicans started off the second quarter a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, including 6-of-6 from three point range in the second half. Everything they threw up was falling down. The Hawks gave up 10 3-point field goals in the half against the Pelicans, the most the Pelicans had gotten all season in a half. Ish Smith finished the half with 16 points and four assists for the Pelicans, while Al Horford totaled 20 points, five rebounds, and two blocks for the Hawks.

Al Horford set a career high for 3-pointers in a game with four in the third quarter, bringing his point total to 26 for the game and the Hawks down 61-60 with 7:22 left in the quarter. The Hawks were able to keep it going in the third, and take a 76-75 lead into the fourth quarter.

Kent Bazemore was assessed a technical foul after a last second Toney Douglas shot went up at the end of the quarter that would not count, Bazemore came off of the bench to swat the shot before it had the chance to go in. The Pelicans would make the technical free throw to start the quarter off at 76 points apiece.

The momentum really took a swing in the middle of the fourth quarter, as the Hawks were finally able to find some separation from the Pelicans. The Hawks were able to string together several good possessions in a row, and Anthony Davis' absence really started to show. The Hawks took a 93-85 lead with 5:10 left in the quarter with Philips Arena as loud as it had been all night.

The Hawks were able to extend their lead to 102-91 with 2:12 left in the game, and it was their game from then on out. The Hawks would go on to win 106-98. Al Horford led all scorers with 26 points, and added 8 rebounds and 3 assists to the stats sheet. Paul Millsap had another monster game, with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Jeff Teague also had a double-double, with 14 points and 10 assists.

The Hawks move on to 8-2 on the season with the win, and will face the Boston Celtics on Friday in Boston.