Hawks beat Nuggets in the final seconds to win 109-108

By: Lucas Kochevar

      The Hawks went into Denver with the record of 14-15 and they hoped to get a win as their Christmas gift. The Hawks were without Dwight Howard for the 3rd straight game, but they were also without Tim Hardaway Jr. (groin) and Kyle Korver (illness). The Hawks started off to a good start but the Nuggets managed to make a strong comeback and the score at the end of the first quarter was 29-29. In the second quarter the Nuggets would take a lead and the Hawks would keep it close. Denver was beating Atlanta at halftime by the score of 55-51.

     The Nuggets were very effective in the third quarter as they would get a 10-point lead and the Hawks would once again find themselves in a hole. The Hawks would play solid and they would fight back to tie it at the end of the third quarter 82-82. The Hawks once again would get down and Denver would take advantage. Denver would have a lead of 108-100 with 1:43 left in the game. The Hawks were able to get free throws from Dennis Schroder and Thabo Sefolosha and the Hawks would be down only 108-107. With 6 seconds Paul Millsap would put up a jumper and he would be fouled. Paul Millsap would hit two very clutch free throws. Wilson Chandler would get a good look at the basket on a floater but he would miss and the Hawks would steal this win with a 9-0 run full of only free throws. Dennis Schroder led the Hawks with 21 points and 5 assists. The most notable part of the night was the fact that Deandre Bembry would get to play extended minutes and the minutes were major. They weren't garbage time minutes. Bembry would finish with 9 points and 4 rebounds. 

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