Hawks @ Bobcats Final: Atlanta wins fourth game in a row 97-83

Mar 17, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard

(15) goes up for a shot during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Atlanta defeated Charlotte 97-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

We talked about the Atlanta Hawks continuing their winning streak this morning, and they did exactly what was needed to move that streak to four gamews with a 97-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats tonight.

Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker were the guys who would make or break tonight for Atlanta, and while they did score a bit (16 and 20 points respectively) the Hawks were able to limit them, and make them work for all the buckets they would get.

Paul Millsap was the leading scorer for both teams, and managed 28 points on 12-20 from the floor. Pero Antic added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Kyle Korver was one board away from a double-double himself after a dropping 10 points on 3-8 from the field.

The game wasn’t as much of a blowout as the final score might suggest however. Charlotte actually got off to a quick start, leading the Hawks 28-22 after the first quarter and also taking a 52-46 lead into the half. But the Hawks answered loudly in the third, with a massive offensive outburst, scoring 30 points and holding Al Jefferson and company to just 16. They kept up that defensive pressure in the fourth as well, and the Cats were only able to manage 15 points in the final 12 minutes.

The rebounding was a big key to the success tonight, and the Hawks were able to lead the Bobcats in this category 51-42. Atlanta rarely puts up that kind of effort on the glass and it would be fantastic if they were able to replicate that going forward. In the meantime Atlanta picked up a game on the Bobcats in the Southeast Division and kept them from getting back to .500 on the season.

The Hawks will get back to it tomorrow night at home against the Toronto Raptors.