Hawks collapse in 109-94 loss to Lakers

The slide continues for the Atlanta Hawks another disappointing loss this time to the Los Angeles Lakers 109-94. Atlanta has now lost five of its last six games to fall to 10-7 after starting the season 9-2.

The Hawks came out of the gate quickly hitting on all cylinders and jumped out to a 32-21 lead at the end of the first quarter. Atlanta went inside early and often to Dwight Howard who scored 13 of his 19 points in the first quarter.

Things quickly unraveled from there. The Lakers erased the deficit outscoring Atlanta 35-16 in the second to take a 56-48 lead into the half. Atlanta cut the deficit to as little as six points in the second half but weren’t able to sustain the run. Los Angeles to as many as 20 in the fourth quarter prompting Mike Budenholzer to empty his bench early with a game against Golden State on the docket for tomorrow.

Atlanta came into the game No. 1 in the league in defensive efficiency but the Lakers had their way on the offensive end of the floor. Los Angeles shot 44 percent for the game and were 8 for 20 from three-point range. The Lakers held a 53-38 rebounding edge and turned 15 offensive rebounds into 20 second-chance points.

Kent Bazemore led the way for Atlanta with 21 points on 8 of 16 shooting. Howard finished a rebound shy of a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds. Dennis Schröder added 11 points and eight assists but was just 5 for 15 from the field.

Atlanta connected on 44 percent of their field goal attempts but were just 4 of 10 from the free throw line and finished with 12 turnovers.

Things don’t get any easier for the Hawks who are right back at it on Monday against the Golden State Warriors. They will wrap up their five-game road trip in Phoenix on Wednesday.