Lopez, Blatche Lead Nets Past Atlanta, 93-80

Brooklyn had a better performance coming off its 17-point home victory over Washington on Friday

Brook Lopez and Andray Blatche each scored 18 points, Deron Williams added 17 and the Brooklyn Nets won their third straight game with a 93-80 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.

Al Horford finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks, who seemed lethargic after losing in overtime at Boston on Friday. Atlanta has lost two straight and five of six.

Brooklyn had a better performance coming off its 17-point home victory over Washington on Friday in which Williams set the NBA record with nine 3-pointers in a half and scored a season-high 42 points.

Lopez, who finished with nine rebounds, scored 14 points in the third, including a runner that gave Brooklyn its first 20-point lead.

The Nets took their first double-digit lead midway through the second quarter when Mirza Teletovic's 3-pointer made it 39-29. It only got worse in the second half for Atlanta, which trailed by 23 early in the fourth on a couple of long jumpers by Blatche.

Atlanta came within 13 midway through the fourth on John Jenkins' 3-pointer, but C.J. Watson followed with a 3-pointer and Blatche's fadeaway jumper made it 89-71.

Former Hawks guard Joe Johnson returned for the second time with Brooklyn to Philips Arena, scoring eight points on 4-for-13 shooting.

The Nets snapped an eight-game losing streak in Atlanta.

Notes: Brooklyn F Reggie Evans finished with six points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes despite playing with swelling in both eyes. Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said before the game that Evans was scratched in both eyes against Washington. ... Evans had six points and nine rebounds, a night after scoring 11 and grabbing a career-high 24 boards. ... Carlesimo improved to 23-12 since Avery Johnson was fired. ... Hawks C Zaza Pachulia missed his fourth straight game and 10th in the last 21 with a sore right Achilles. ... Hawks coach Larry Drew said before the game that Pachulia is listed as day-to-day. ... With Lopez in the lineup for Brooklyn, Johan Petro started at center. Petro started Friday at Boston, finishing with two points and four rebounds in 17 minutes. Petro has played in only 21 games this season.

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