ATLANTA – The Hawks needed a little time — and a strong halftime push from coach Mike Budenholzer — to forget about a tough loss the previous night and focus on the Knicks.
Kyle Korver scored 27 points and Atlanta overcame a strong start by Carmelo Anthony and New York to win 103-96 on Saturday night.
The Knicks were handed their fourth straight loss.
Jeff Teague had 19 points for Atlanta, which recovered after losing back-to-back road games at San Antonio and Charlotte by a combined five points. Korver said it wasn’t easy to block out Friday night’s 122-119 double-overtime loss to Charlotte.
“We made a little adjustment, but most of it was we lost in double-overtime last night and we came out a little sluggish,” said Korver, who added that Budenholzer “really challenged us at halftime, and guys responded.”
Anthony led New York with 20 points, including 14 in the first quarter. Iman Shumpert had 19.
Anthony shot 6 of 10 from the field in the first period and 2 for 10 the rest of the game.
“I felt great. Coming into the game, I felt good,” Anthony said. “I felt good in the first quarter. I just kind of cooled down from there. I can’t put a finger on exactly what happened from there.”
The Knicks led 61-48 at halftime before the Hawks rallied to take the lead with the final basket of the third period.
“I think we got over being tired and started playing,” Teague said. “Our feet were in sand at the beginning of the game.”
After several lead changes in the fourth, the Hawks took a 94-88 advantage with seven straight points, including a 3-pointer by Korver and two baskets by Teague.
With Anthony leading the way, the Knicks led 32-20 after the first period. New York stretched it to 61-48 at halftime even though Anthony didn’t score in the second quarter.
Budenholzer said before the game he hoped improved depth would give Atlanta an advantage when playing on consecutive nights. The Hawks and Knicks traveled following losses to Charlotte and Brooklyn, respectively, on Friday night.
With the Knicks down to 12 players, Atlanta’s deep bench showed in the second half. The Hawks outscored the Knicks 27-13 in the third quarter.
“I think they upped their energy a bit,” New York coach Derek Fisher said. “I think they felt like they got pushed around in the first half.”
The Hawks went up 5-3 and didn’t lead again until a fast-break drive by Thabo Sefolosha gave Atlanta a 75-74 edge to close the third quarter.
Tim Hardaway Jr. had 15 points and Amare Stoudemire scored 14 for the Knicks, who are still adjusting to the triangle offense.
“The lack of confidence we have as a team, it’s affecting both ends of the court,” Anthony said.
Fisher blamed the Knicks’ offensive letdown on “just not being able to get the ball moving as much in the second half.”
DeMarre Carroll scored 12 points and Paul Millsap had 11 points with 13 rebounds for Atlanta. Millsap drew the primary defensive assignment on Anthony, but had help from Sefolosha and Carroll.
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TIP-INS
Knicks: Shumpert, who fouled out with 43 seconds remaining, was back at small forward after starting at point guard in Friday night’s loss to the Nets. Shane Larkin, who came off the bench against the Nets, started at point guard and had nine points.
Hawks: Second-year guard Dennis Schroeder’s role continues to grow. He had 11 points and five steals in 20 minutes. Instead of seeing minutes only behind Teague, Schroeder played much of the second quarter with the starting point guard.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Host Hawks on Monday night.
Hawks: Play at Knicks on Monday night.
GUARDS DOWN
The Knicks again were without point guards Jose Calderon (strained right calf) and Pablo Prigioni (sprained right ankle). Prigioni, who did not travel, missed his second straight game, and Calderon hasn’t played this season.
“We still have 12 guys who are NBA players,” Fisher said. “We just have to figure it out.”
FOUL PLAY
The Knicks were called for 29 fouls — 12 more than the Hawks. “We couldn’t figure out a way to defend without fouling,” Fisher said. The imbalance helped Atlanta outscore New York 28-8 from the free throw line.
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