Hawks go into Moda Center and knock off Blazers

Portland, OR (SportsNetwork.com) - Paul Millsap scored 27 points to lead Atlanta to yet another impressive road win.

The Hawks had seven players in double figures in their 115-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

Atlanta had been climbing the Eastern Conference standings with a tremendous run starting in late November, and it moved into first place with Toronto losing in Golden State on Friday.

Since losing to the Raptors on Nov. 26 to fall to 7-6, the Hawks have won 18 of 20 games, including seven straight on the road against the West. Their six straight road wins overall are the most since 2011.

Jeff Teague tallied 22 points and six assists, Kyle Korver made four 3- pointers en route to 14 points and Al Horford and Thabo Sefolosha netted 13 apiece.

"A lot of different guys played well," said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer. "Thabo coming off the bench was great."

Portland got 30 points and 12 rebounds from LaMarcus Aldridge in its first game since Dec. 30. Damian Lillard posted 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

"I think we could have played better, but you have to credit Atlanta for playing a very efficient game on both ends of the court," Portland coach Terry Stotts said.

Four different Hawks scored during a 10-0 run that gave the visitors a 62-51 lead early in the third quarter. Teague polished off a 9-0 burst later in the period, and the spread was 20.

Lillard put Portland on his back after that, potting a deep 3 to jumpstart a 14-2 finish to the quarter. He also hit a stepback from 16 feet and beat the buzzer with an off-balance 3 to draw the hosts back within 83-75 after three.

But the Hawks didn't succumb to the pressure, answering Portland's flurry with one of their own. An 8-2 run had the lead back to 13 points. It hovered between 15 and eight over the next seven minutes before the Blazers made things interesting with a late push.

Trailing 106-91, Lillard hit a layup, Wesley Matthews scored six points in 26 seconds and Aldridge got a tip-in to go.

Teague quieted the crowd with a pair of difficult running bank shots. Horford and DeMarre Carroll both missed two straight free throws, but Sefolosha potted four straight to help Atlanta hold on.

Earlier, Portland opened the game with eight straight points but Atlanta answered with a prolonged 18-9 run to climb in front. It never trailed the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Atlanta outscored Portland 64-38 in the paint ... Blazers big man Joel Freeland left the game in the fourth quarter with a right shoulder injury ... The two teams meet again in Atlanta on Jan. 30.