Hornets 95 - 93 Hawks
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Bobcats, Hawks tangle in Atlanta

Apr 14, 2014 - 2:30 PM

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(SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of playoff-bound teams from the Southeast Division tangle Monday, as the Charlotte Bobcats pay a visit to the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.

The Bobcats are in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference -- one game behind Washington -- and the Hawks cinched up the eighth seed and will face either Miami or Indiana in the first round.

Charlotte posted a 111-105 victory over Philadelphia its last time out on Saturday thanks to another solid effort from Al Jefferson. Jefferson recorded 29 points and 12 rebounds for his 40th double-double of the season. He has at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in the last six games, averaging 26.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in that stretch.

"It's a win," said Jefferson. "It was one of those tough games in the NBA playing a team that didn't have anything to lose. We found a way to win so I guess that's the positive thing about it."

Gerald Henderson ended with 14 points in the win over the 76ers, while Luke Ridnour, Cody Zeller and Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 12 points apiece for the Bobcats, winners in 12 of the last 17 games.

The Bobcats were without guard Kemba Walker because of a groin issue and he is listed as questionable Monday. Walker has scored 20 or more points in eight of his last 12 games played.

Charlotte is 17-23 on the road this season and will close out the regular season at home versus Chicago on Wednesday.

Atlanta captured a postseason berth with Saturday's 98-85 win over the Miami Heat and is in the playoffs for a seventh straight year.

Jeff Teague had 25 points and four steals, while Lou Williams netted 23 points for Atlanta, which was 25-21 on Feb. 4 before falling into a 6-20 tailspin. The Hawks then won six of the last eight games to clinch the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"It's satisfying to get a win and be in a groove that we're in," Williams said.

The Hawks will wrap up the regular season at Milwaukee on Wednesday and shoot for a third straight season sweep of the rival Bobcats. The Hawks have taken the last 11 meetings with Charlotte, which has dropped five in a row and 12 of the previous 13 trips to Philips Arena.






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