ATLANTA — The Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks have different objectives in the final two weeks of the regular season. With the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference locked up, the Hawks want to stay healthy and sharp. The Bucks need every win they can get to secure a playoff spot.
The team with less to play for prevailed Monday night at Philips Arena.
Forward DeMarre Carroll paced a typical balanced attack for Atlanta, lifting the Hawks to a 101-88 win over the Bucks, who have lost 11 straight road games.
Carroll finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists, helping the Hawks improve 32-5 at home. Carroll’s 3-pointer with 2:30 to play in the fourth quarter pushed the Hawks’ lead to 92-77 and finally put away the pesky Bucks.
Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had 18 points to lead the Bucks, whose last road win came on Jan. 29 at Orlando. Center Zaza Pachulia, a former Hawk, added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks.
Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with a left ankle sprain. Teague played 29 minutes, scoring eight points and handing out nine assists.
Center Al Horford added 18 points, and guard Kyle Korver scored all 11 of his points during a 65-second span in the third quarter that included three 3-pointers.
Korver, wearing a facemask to protect his broken nose, missed his first four 3-point attempts before connecting from straight-on midway through the third quarter. He then hit two more treys and a deep two-pointer in a 65-second span that saw the Hawks’ extend their lead to 14.
“I’m just really tired of wearing this mask,” Korver said.
With nine games remaining, the Bucks (36-38) are trying to hold off the Miami Heat for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Including the Heat, there are five teams within 4.5 games of the Bucks.
Atlanta backup point guard Dennis Schroder injured his left toe early in the second quarter. He walked straight to the locker room and did not return. He was replaced by Teague. Schroder’s injury epitomizes the challenge Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer faces in the final two weeks of the regular season. With the No. 1 seed secured, Budenholzer will try to walk the line of keeping his players rested and healthy, while also keeping them sharp.
“We have to find a way to push ourselves,” Budenholzer said before Monday’s game. “We have to find a way to keep our own edge and keep our own focus. If we can do that and stay healthy, it will be a good couple of weeks here.”
The Hawks (56-18) led by as many as 14 in the second quarter and went to halftime up 46-39, but Milwaukee stayed within striking distance until midway through the fourth quarter.
Atlanta forward Paul Millsap finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, one of five Hawks to score in double figures.
NOTES: Atlanta F Mike Scott missed his 10th consecutive game due to a left toe sprain. Scott did work out pregame and had good mobility. … Milwaukee F Jared Dudley sat out to rest a lower back ailment. … The Hawks clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference on Friday. It is the first time Atlanta will be the top seed in the playoffs since the 1993-94 season.