Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers (left) is blocked by Luc Mbah Moute of the Philadelphia 76ers during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (AFP)
The Portland Trail Blazers have been very good at home. But not nearly as good as the Atlanta Hawks have been on the road. Paul Millsap scored 27 points to lead a balanced attack Saturday and the red-hot Hawks won their sixth straight road game with a 115-107 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Jeff Teague added 22 points for the Hawks (25-8), who have won four in a row and 18 of 20 overall to surge to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta has lost just once on the road since November 15, winning at Cleveland, Houston and Dallas during its current streak.
“To play in this atmosphere, to win on the road, to continue to develop a road mentality and mental toughness, it’s good for our group,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
The Hawks passed another tough road test in the Blazers (26-8), who were tied with Golden State for the most wins in the NBA and had not lost at home since November 28, winning seven straight at the Moda Center.
“I know how tough it is to play here,” said Millsap, who made 11-of-17 shots. “The crowd gets into it and the team feeds off the crowd. Winning here says a lot about our team.”
“They outplayed us and they’re a good team,” said Portland coach Terry Stotts, whose team had an overall four-game winning streak snapped. Atlanta was coming off Friday’s win in Utah and quickly fell into an 8-0 hole. But the Hawks closed the first quarter with an 18-3 surge and never trailed again, turning back several rallies by the Blazers.
Millsap and Teague scored 10 points each in the third period, when the Hawks widened a 52-49 halftime lead to as much as 20 points. But Damian Lillard scored eight points in a 14-2 burst, including a long three-pointer that closed the quarter and cut the deficit to 83-75.
The Hawks rebuilt the lead as Millsap had three baskets and Korver drained to three-pointers and a long jumper to make it 104-89 with 4:16 to play. The Blazers pulled within 106-101 with 1:57 left before Teague sealed it with a pair of buckets.
Al Horford of the Dominican Republic and Thabo Sefolosha of Switzerland scored 13 points apiece for the Hawks, who shot 51 percent (43-of-84) from the field and had seven players in double figures. Wesley Matthews scored 19 points and Lillard and France’s Nicolas Batum added 16 each for the Trail Blazers, who shot 45 percent (42-of-93).
San Antonio Spurs 101, Washington Wizards 92
Cory Joseph scored 19 points to lead a balanced attack as the host Spurs beat the Wizards for the 17th straight time. John Wall and Bradley Beal scored 15 points apiece for the Wizards, who have lost a season-high three in a row.
Chicago Bulls 109, Boston Celtics 104 (OT)
Spanish star Pau Gasol had a season-high 29 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks as the host Bulls won for the ninth time in 10 games. Evan Turner scored a season-high 29 points for the Celtics, who have dropped six of seven.
Houston Rockets 115, Miami Heat 79
James Harden scored 15 of his 28 points in a huge third quarter for the host Rockets, who handed the Heat their fourth straight loss.
Los Angeles Clippers 127, Philadelphia 76ers 91
Chris Paul had 24 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds as the host Clippers won their third in a row and saddled the 76ers with their fifth consecutive loss.
Denver Nuggets 114, Memphis Grizzlies 85
Ty Lawson had 25 points and 11 assists for the host Nuggets, who ended a three-game slide. Spain’s Marc Gasol scored 18 points for the Grizzlies, who had a three-game winning streak stopped.