Atlanta Hawks defeat the Orlando Magic 95-83

ORLANDO, Fla. — Forward Paul Millsap had 25 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 95-83 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

The Hawks (54-17) snapped a three-game losing streak, the worst stretch in their surprisingly strong season. They already have clinched their first division title since 1995.

Guard Jeff Teague had 16 points, including nine points in the final five minutes when the Hawks took control after trailing much of the game.

Hawks guard Kyle Korver added 13 points, and forward DeMarre Carroll had 11 points and seven rebounds. Center Al Horford chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds.

Rookie point guard Elfrid Payton had 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Magic. Center Nikola Vucevic contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds, forward Tobias Harris scored 14 points and reserve forward Andrew Nicholson had 11 points.

The Hawks grabbed a 82-81 lead — their first since early in the game — on a layup by Teague with 4:29 remaining. After a Magic turnover, reserve guard Dennis Schroder hit a 3-pointer for a four-point lead. The Magic went more than four minutes without scoring, letting the Hawks score 17 consecutive points down the stretch.

The Magic led 71-68 going into the fourth quarter. Payton scored 10 points in the third quarter to help the Magic keep the lead. Schroder tied the score at 71 with a 3-pointer, but the Magic responded with the next eight points.

The Magic led 52-47 at halftime. They led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter and dominated throughout the first two quarters. Oladipo had 13 points and Vucevic and Harris 10 each by intermission.

Millsap led all scorers early with 18 points and eight rebounds, but his team struggled at the start. The Hawks outrebounded the Magic 27-21 in the first half but made only 4 of 18 shots from 3-point range.

Magic reserve Willie Green hit a 3-pointer as the horn sounded to give the Magic a 31-23 lead after the first quarter.

NOTES: Hawks F Thabo Sefolosha returned to the rotation Wednesday night after missing 23 consecutive games with a strained right calf muscle. “The process was a little long,” he said before the game. “But you have to trust the system.” … The Magic allowed 100 points or more in each of their previous five games. … Magic coach James Borrego and Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer have remained close friends since they were on the staff of the San Antonio Spurs together. … The Hawks officially signed F Austin Daye to a second 10-day contract Wednesday. Daye appeared in 26 games earlier this season with the Spurs and also played in the NBA Development League. … Magic F Tobias Harris (sprained left ankle) returned after a three-game absence. Harris made the game-winning shot Dec. 13 when the Magic beat the Hawks 100-99 in Orlando.