Atlanta Hawks take breather, fall to Charlotte Hornets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Guard Kemba Walker scored 21 points and guard Gerald Henderson scored 20, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks backups 115-100 Saturday night.

The Hornets took control of the game early in the third quarter, led by 14 going into the fourth, and never let the Hawks seriously threaten the rest of the way. They shot 52.5 percent from the field and committed just nine turnovers.

The Hawks, who clinched the Eastern Conference’s top seed with a win over Miami Friday night, rested all five usual starters center Al Horford, forwards DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap, and guards Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague.

The Hornets (31-41) had lost three straight and six of their previous seven. They picked up a half game on No. 8 Boston, which was idle, and are now one game out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 10 games remaining.

Walker was just 7-of-19 from the field in scoring his 21 points, but Henderson went 9-of-10 from the field. The Hornets also got 18 points from guard Mo Williams and 17 from forward Marvin Williams.

Center Al Jefferson played just 18 minutes because of a sore right knee and finished with two points and six rebounds.

The Hawks (55-18) had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Forward Kent Bazemore led the Hawks with 20 points. Forward Mike Muscala had 18 points and 10 rebounds, guard Dennis Schroder had 17 points and 11 assists, and guard John Jenkins scored 16.

The Hawks stayed as close as they did by hitting 15 of 30 from 3-point range.

Charlotte led 27-23 after one quarter, 57-52 at halftime and 90-76 after three quarters.