Hawks drop third straight
by Charles Odum
Associated Press Sports Writer
November 11, 2010 12:00 AM | 465 views | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Mike Bibby (10) shoots for a 3-pointer against the Bucks’ Earl Boykins on Wednesday at Philips Arena.
<br>Associated Press photo
Mike Bibby (10) shoots for a 3-pointer against the Bucks’ Earl Boykins on Wednesday at Philips Arena.
Associated Press photo
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ATLANTA - Corey Maggette scored 20 points, Brandon Jennings added 19 and the Milwaukee Bucks continued their offensive awakening, beating the Atlanta Hawks 108-91 on Wednesday night.

The Hawks have lost three straight, including two at home, after winning their first six.

The Bucks struggled with their offense early in the season and were last in the league in scoring with only 89.6 points per game before taking a 107-80 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. They were as impressive against the Hawks in taking back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Ersan Ilyasova had 17 points and John Salmons had 16 in the balanced Bucks offense.

Backup center Zaza Pachulia led the Hawks with 16. Al Horford had 14 points but only six rebounds as the Bucks took a 44-32 advantage on the boards.

The Hawks were stretched to seven games before beating the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs last season. Hawks coach Larry Drew said before the game he warned his players to expect the Bucks to play like it was the postseason again.

"The first words out of my mouth to the team were 'playoff intensity,'" Drew said.

The Hawks couldn't match the Bucks' intensity, especially in the second and third periods, when Milwaukee outscored Atlanta 67-33.

Joe Johnson was only 5-of-13 from the field for 13 points. A highlight for the Hawks was rookie Jordan Crawford, who set a personal high with 11.

Milwaukee's bench, led by Maggette, outscored Atlanta's backups 35-6 in the first half. The Bucks trailed by 13 points in the opening period before taking a lopsided 33-14 advantage in the second period for a 54-40 lead at the break.

The Bucks continued to stretch the lead after halftime. Jennings had back-to-back 3-pointers late in the third period to stretch the advantage to 30 points at 88-58.

NOTES: Bucks F Carlos Delfino missed his second straight game with a neck strain. ... Hawks forwards Marvin Williams (bone bruise in his right knee) and Maurice Evans (sore right knee) were held out after working out Wednesday morning. Williams has missed four straight games, and the Hawks are 1-3 without the starter. ... Bibby passed 14,000 career points with his first basket.

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