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Atlanta Hawks top Golden State Warriors, take over NBA’s best record

By Phil Watson

Feb 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) passes out of the defense of Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic (6) and guard Kent Bazemore (24) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) passes out of the defense of Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic (6) and guard Kent Bazemore (24) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks scored an impressive win Friday night, taking down the Golden State Warriors 124-116 at home and claiming the best record in the NBA.

Final. 124. 125. 116. 41

When people think about battles between the teams with the best records in the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors aren’t the first two clubs to come to mind.

The last time the Warriors finished with the NBA’s best record was in 1975-76, the year after they won their last NBA title.

The Hawks have never had the league’s best record in their 66-year history that dates back to 1949, when they played their home games in the far-from-palatial Wharton Field House in Moline, Ill., when they were known as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.

The franchise’s lone NBA championship was won in 1958, when the team was in St. Louis.

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So, yeah, it’s been awhile.

The Warriors’ Splash Brothers combined for 55 points, but the Hawks had seven players in double figures en route to a 124-116 win Friday night at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

Feb 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) dunks as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) is shown on the play in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) dunks as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) is shown on the play in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

With the win, the Hawks (42-9) took over the top spot in the NBA ahead of the Warriors, who are now 39-9.

The Atlanta bench provided the spark, outscoring the Warriors’ reserves 39-32 and hitting 7-of-8 from 3-point range.

As a team, the Hawks were 15-for-27 from deep (55.6 percent), while the Warriors were just 12-for-33 (36.4 percent).

Atlanta recovered from a poor shooting start. The Hawks were only 8-for-23 (34.8 percent) in the first quarter, but kept the game close. Golden State led 25-21 at the end of the first and the teams went to intermission tied at 52-52.

The Hawks put the game away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Warriors at one stretch 12-4 to open an 11-point lead, 114-103, with 3:02 left.

Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 23 points and also had seven assists and three steals. Paul Millsap added 21 points and three steals and Mike Scott came off the bench to pour in 17 points in 17 minutes.

Kyle Korver also scored 17 points, hitting 5-of-9 from deep, Al Horford has 12 points, 14 rebounds and six dimes, DeMarre Carroll scored 12 points and Kent Bazemore—once known for his towel waving on the Golden State bench—added 11 points. Dennis Schroder dished out seven assists in 18 minutes.

Klay Thompson had 29 points for the Warriors and Stephen Curry went for 26 points and nine assists. Draymond Green finished with 12 points, a career-high 20 rebounds and six assists. Harrison Barnes also scored 12 points.

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