Hawks swoop on the Nets

With so much focus on the Nets' division chase, it was easy to forget the Hawks are involved in their own race.

They want home-court advantage in the playoffs and perhaps sent a message to the Nets: Don't worry too much about catching that team ahead of you. Better keep an eye on the one right behind.

Al Horford had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and the Hawks dominated the fourth quarter to beat Brooklyn 105-93 on Sunday night, keeping the Nets from tying for first place in the Atlantic Division.

The Hawks earned a split of the season series, preventing the Nets from clinching a potentially important tiebreaker between teams batting for position in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks moved into sole possession of fifth place and pulled within a game of the Nets for fourth.

AP

(China Daily 03/19/2013 page24)