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Hawks hope for 2-0 lead against Nets

Apr 22, 2015 - 12:55 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The top-seeded Atlanta Hawks will try to defend their homecourt Wednesday night when they meet the Brooklyn Nets in Game 2 at Philips Arena.

Atlanta began its march toward the NBA Finals Sunday with a 99-92 win over the Nets, who fought, but ultimately didn't have enough fire power to compete with the Hawks.

Kyle Korver buried five 3-pointers and scored 21 points to lead the Hawks. Jeff Teague and DeMarre Carroll added 17 points each for Atlanta and Dennis Schroder scored 13 off the bench.

Brooklyn's only lead of the game was 2-0. Atlanta led by as many as 16 points and held off several runs in the second half.

"A lot of credit goes to them for closing on us and putting us in tough spots," said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer. "But I think defensively our hands and our activity were good and created some turnovers. ... A lot of guys stepped up and made plays."

Hawks center Al Horford suffered a dislocated little finger on his right hand in the fourth quarter but had it taped up and returned to the game. He ended with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Budenholzer said X-rays taken on Horford's hand were negative.

"Obviously he came back and finished the game and we're hopeful that he'll be fine going forward," Budenholzer said.

It's been a big week for Budenholzer. On Tuesday, he was named Coach of the Year and was notified by his mentor, long-time boss and reigning winner, Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs.

Atlanta led 74-62 entering the fourth quarter and by 15 points with 10 1/2 minutes remaining before letting it get as close as four down the stretch.

Korver made his final 3 with 3:17 remaining to help Atlanta push a five-point lead to 10. The Nets scored the next six, capped by Thaddeus Young's one- handed floater in the paint, but Teague banked in a shot and made two free throws and the Hawks were able to hang on.

Atlanta was 21-of-22 from the foul line in the game.

"We just didn't make enough plays," said Nets coach Lionel Hollins. "I told the team after the game, if you didn't believe you can play in this series, you should believe now."

Brook Lopez scored 17 points with a game-high 14 rebounds and Joe Johnson also supplied 17 points for the Nets, who clinched the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot on the last day of the regular season. Young added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jarrett Jack scored 13 off the bench in the loss.

Johnson, who played for Atlanta for seven seasons from 2005-12, gave the Nets their only lead on the first possession of the game.

The Hawks went 4-0 against the Nets in the regular season on the way to their seventh consecutive postseason berth and a team-record 60 wins. They clinched the No. 1 seed on March 27 with 19 days remaining in the regular season and not long after wrapping up the Southeast Division title.

Game 3 will be Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn.