European feast in Atlanta ends up with Hawks win over Wizards / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

Five European players shone bright in Atlanta as the Hawks (42-38) beat the Washington Wizards (35-45) 118-103 (40-31, 27-34, 28-18, 23-20).

Player of the Game EFF 29 Danilo Gallinari Points 26 Accuracy 11-19 Rebounds 10 Assists 1

For the winners, Danilo Gallinari provided a solid double-double of 26 points (7/12 2PT, 4/7 3PT), 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 turnover.

Clint Capela added 19 points (9/11 2PT, 1/2 FT), 7 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Bogdan Bogdanovic accumulated 18 points (0/4 2PT, 6/9 3PT), 2 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 26 points (4/8 2PT, 4/8 3PT, 6/7 FT), 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers.

Deni Avdija also put an all-around performance with 9 points (3/4 2PT, 1/7 3PT), 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Both the Nets (42-38), who beat the New York Knicks 110-98, and the Hawks (42-38) gained a half-game on the seventh-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (43-37) with just two games remaining.

The Wizards (35-45), who were coming off a win at Minnesota on Tuesday but have been eliminated from playoff contention, fell despite a 26-point, 18-rebound night from Kristaps Porzingis.

In bouncing back from a 118-108 loss at Toronto on Tuesday, the Hawks erupted for 40 first-quarter points, including 17 of the period's final 24 after Ish Smith had put Washington on top 24-23 in the eighth minute.

Washington hung within 83-79 late in the third quarter, but again Atlanta saved its best for last in the period, getting all 12 points from Young -- including a pair of 3-pointers -- in a 12-4 burst that opened a 12-point advantage.

Shooting for a sixth victory in their past eight games, the Wizards got no closer than eight over the final 12 minutes.

Young used 11-for-12 accuracy at the free-throw line as the foundation for his 34th 30-point game of the season. He also found time for a game-high 11 assists, completing his 41st double-double of the year, his 20th with at least 30 points.

Washington's Corey Kispert and Daniel Gafford added 12 points apiece. The Wizards get one more chance to play playoff-position spoiler when they wrap up the season at Charlotte on Sunday following a home game against New York on Friday.

Hawks: Trae Young 30 (5/8 2PT, 3/9 3PT, 11/12 FT, 11 AST), Danilo Gallinari 26 (7/12 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 10 REB), Clint Capela 19 (9/11 2PT, 7 REB, 4 STL), Bogdan Bogdanovic 18 (6/9 3PT, 4 AST), De'Andre Hunter 10 (1/9 2PT, 2/4 3PT).Wizards: Kristaps Porzingis 26 (4/8 2PT, 4/8 3PT, 6/7 FT, 18 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK), Corey Kispert 12 (2/7 3PT), Daniel Gafford 12 (5/6 2PT).

Kristaps Porzingis highlights

Danilo Gallinari highlights

Bogdan Bogdanovic highlights

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