Hawks come up short against Bucks in overtime 108-101

The Atlanta Hawks got off to a good start but were unable to slam the door shut in a 108-101 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Atlanta came out of the gates quickly and closed the first quarter with an 8-2 spurt to take a 28-22 lead. The Hawks continued to push in the second quarter but the Bucks battled back to stay within striking distance. A 7-0 run late in the quarter put Atlanta up 51-40 but Milwaukee answered back scoring the final six points of the period at the free throw line to cut the lead to 51-46 at the intermission.

The second half was more of the same with the Hawks extending the lead only to see the Bucks come fighting back. Khris Middleton's jumper with 2:23 remaining tied the game at 93-93. Paul Millsap fouled out of the game with 1:17 remaining. Giannis Antetokounmpo converted the ensuing free throws to put Milwaukee up 95-93. Al Horford tied things back up on the next possession with a jumper of his own. Atlanta had a chance at the end of regulation but took too long to get into their set. Jeff Teague's desperation attempt was blocked and the game headed for overtime.

Kent Bazemore fouled out 41 seconds into the extra period in what was a theme throughout the game. Jeff Teague put the Hawks up 99-97 with 3:20 remaining but Michael Carter-Williams answered with a three-pointer at the other end to put Milwaukee back in front. The Bucks wouldn't trail again as that Carter-Williams' make ignited an 11-2 run to end the game and give Milwaukee the win.

Millsap led the Hawks with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists but was sorely missed down the stretch and in overtime. Al Horford added 18 points and eight boards while Kyle Korver chipped in 17. Dennis Schröder added 16 off the bench. Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Middleton finished with 26 while Carter-Williams and Greg Monroe netted 15 each.

Atlanta converted 43 percent of their field goal attempts but finished 9-for-30 from three-point range and were 2-for-16 in the second half and overtime. The Hawks were hurt by 18 turnovers that led to 25 points for the Bucks. Milwaukee also turned the ball over 18 times but Atlanta scored 12 points off those miscues.

The Bucks beat Atlanta up on the boards 60-43 which included 21 offensive rebounds. Atlanta did a pretty good job of negating the damage holding Milwaukee to just 14 second-chance points. The Hawks, however, had no answer for the free throw disparity. Milwaukee finished the game 25-for-37 from the free throw line while Atlanta was 6-for-6 despite attempting 54 shots in the paint.

The Hawks finish a disappointing road trip 0-2 but won't have much time to think about this loss. Atlanta returns home on Saturday where they will face the Brooklyn Nets to finish off the back-to-back.