The NBA's struggling Atlanta Hawks won their fifth consecutive home game for the first time in four years on Monday, strolling to a 99-76 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings had beaten Atlanta seven straight times dating back to January 2003, but the Hawks snapped that streak with a dominant third quarter where they held the Kings to eight points.
"I thought from beginning to end that we were so focused," Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said.
Atlanta led 53-42 at the half and played with an energy that has been missing for most of the second half of the season. After a strong start, the Hawks have fallen to 27-41 -- 4 games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks scored 25 points in the third quarter to open up a 28-point lead before coasting to their most lopsided win of the season.
Josh Childress scored a season high 25 points and Zaza Pachulia added 23 points for the Hawks. Corliss Williamson led the Kings with 14 points.
New Orleans 106, Boston 88
Tyson Chandler scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Hornets bounced back after Boston's quick start in Oklahoma City.
The Celtics couldn't miss at the start, but then had only nine points in the second quarter -- their lowest total in a quarter this season -- as the Hornets took control.
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