Hawks prove their point: In battle of NBA best, Atlanta get better of Golden State

The two teams with the best records in the NBA went head to head on Friday night, and the Atlanta Hawks made easy work of the Golden State Warriors' league-leading defence in a 124-116 victory.

Atlanta Hawks centre Al Horford slams home a dunk on Friday night in his team's NBA win over the Golden State Warriors. Erik S Lesser / EPA / February 6, 2015

The Atlanta Hawks climbed back to the top of the NBA standings by leaning on their depth.

Jeff Teague scored 23 points and the Atlanta Hawks overcame Golden State’s one-two backcourt punch with balance, beating the Warriors 124-116 on Friday night in a showdown between the NBA’s two conference leaders. Seven Hawks scored in double figures.

“I think we share the ball more than they do,” said Atlanta’s Dennis Schroder, who had nine points and seven assists off the bench. “I think that’s why we won the game tonight.”

The anticipated matchup did not disappoint. It was tied 52-all at half-time and Atlanta led by four entering the final period.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Mike Scott and Kyle Korver, who each had 17 points, helped stretch the lead.

The Hawks (42-9, .824 win percentage) passed the Warriors (39-9, .813) for the league’s best record.

It was tempting for all – with the possible exception of Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer – to view the game as a possible NBA Finals preview.

“I don’t think one bit about that,” Budenholzer said without a smile after the game.

The Warriors leaned on their one-two punch of Klay Thompson, who had 29 points, and Stephen Curry, who had 26 with nine assists. Golden State had only two other scorers in double figures.

Al Horford had 12 points and 14 rebounds, despite playing only eight minutes in the second half due to foul trouble, and Paul Millsap had 21.

Nine of the 11 points Teague scored in the final frame came on free throws.

“They were good,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “They were better than us. We broke down defensively. They had a lot to do with that because of the way they stretch you out.”

Atlanta led 100-90 with 8:32 remaining. Golden State cut it to six points when Horford was charged with an offensive foul – his fifth. Horford drew a technical when protesting the call. He had to leave the game, just as he did with 8:21 remaining in the third, when he drew his fourth foul, also on a charge.

Less than three minutes later, Golden State’s Draymond Green drew a technical for arguing a foul call.

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