Atlanta Hawks Team Report - December 23

(Basketball News) - Atlanta got back on the winning track on Wednesday night, tallying a 113-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at Philips Arena.

Antoine Walker delivered 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as Atlanta halted a five-game slide. Five other Hawk players scored in double-figures and Atlanta shot a sound 54 percent (46-of-86) from the field to post only its third win in 14 home outings this season.

Al Harrington compiled 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while rookie Josh Childress tied a career-high with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

Atlanta was clinging to a 59-57 lead midway through the third quarter before outscoring the Mavericks 16-6 over a 4:24 span. After Walker’s layup off a feed from Predrag Drobnjak put the Hawks in front 70-61 with 2:45 to go in the period, Kenny Anderson buried a three-pointer 30 seconds later to lengthen the margin to 12.

Dallas answered with seven consecutive points to get within five, but Tony Delk’s long-distance shot with 17 seconds left in the third staked Atlanta to a 78-70 lead heading into the final frame.

The Hawks maintained the momentum in the fourth quarter and went ahead by 14 points on Childress’ basket with 4:46 remaining which made the score 98-84. Atlanta held on from there for the win.

Walker and Delk were traded by Dallas to Atlanta for Jason Terry and Alan Henderson in August.

Atlanta has a four-day Christmas break to rest before heading to Miami on Monday.