Anticipation rose all week for the national televised matchup on ESPN between the West-leading Warriors and the East-leading Hawks. This is the second matchup between the two. Atlanta won the first game on February 6th in Atlanta.
The Warriors were red hot from the start of the game. They were lights out from the three-point line in part from contributions by players such as Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala, and Draymond Green. Barnes totaled 25 points, Iguodala had 21, and Green had 18 points. Golden State was on an 8-0 run, and then the Hawks staged their own 9-0 run led by Paul Millsap who had 16 points and nine rebounds for the game. The Warriors still had the hot hand despite five early turnovers in the first quarter. Golden State led Atlanta, 20-18, at the end of the first quarter.
Three Pero Antic free throws cut the deficit to 32-29 with 10:27 left in the second quarter. Andre Iguodala's efficiency on the fast break staged an 8-0 Warriors run, and they led 42-33 with 7:17 left in the period. Golden State had an answer for every Atlanta bucket. A Stephen Curry four-point play then made it a 50-40 lead with 4:16 left. A 6-0 run was soon created on an Andre Iguodala and-one play and a Draymond Green three-ball. Green totaled 11 points on another three pointer that set up a 9-2 run. The Warriors led the Hawks, 59-47, at halftime. Barnes, Green, and Curry each had 11 points. Al Horford was a dismal 1 of 11 from the field for the Hawks.
Harrison Barnes gave the Warriors another three-ball early in the third quarter. A Paul Millsap and-one play made it 63-55 with 9:09 left, but Stephen Curry extended it to 66-55. DeMarre Carroll then knocked down a three for the Hawks that made it 66-58. Green and Carroll then exchanged three balls, and it was 69-61 with 4:44 left. It would be the only single digit deficit Atlanta would face for the rest of the game. Leandro Barbosa then knocked down a three that made it a 13-point game at 74-61 with 4:12 left. A 15-6 run was created by an Andre Iguodala and-one play, and the Warriors led, 83-64. Golden State closed the period on a 14-3 run.
The Warriors took care of business in the fourth quarter. Andre Iguodala knocked down a three early in the period that made it a 22-point game. Dennis Schroder also became cold for Atlanta as he was shooting 1 of 11. It soon turned into a 105-80 lead with 4:30 left. Austin Daye made his Hawks debut and knocked down a three-ball that was part of a 9-0 Hawks run. Shelvin Mack got the steal and an easy layup at the end of the period, but the Warriors came out with a 114-95 win.
The Warriors split the season series with the Hawks at one apiece and still hold the best record in the NBA at 54-13. They have an outstanding 31-2 record at home. The Hawks dropped to 53-15 and remain first in the East. Atlanta will wrap up their last game of their six-game road trip in Oklahoma City on March 20th. Meanwhile, the Warriors will face the New Orleans Pelicans on the same night.