Cleveland Cavaliers' forward Kevin Love (C) goes up for a shot against Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap (L) and DeMarre Carroll during the first half of their NBA game in Atlanta Friday. — AP ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks underscored their status as the top team in the NBA Eastern Conference Friday with a 106-97 triumph over the star-studded Cleveland Cavaliers. Al Horford led six Atlanta players in double figures with 19 points as the Hawks beat the Cavaliers for the third time in four meetings this season. It was the final regular-season clash between the two teams considered by many to be the best in the East. With the win the Hawks are the only team in the league to beat Cleveland three times in this campaign. But even though it could have been a preview of the Eastern Conference finals, Atlanta's Kyle Korver insisted the Hawks weren't trying to send a message. Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague scored 16 points apiece. Millsap also chipped in with eight rebounds and Horford grabbed nine to go with six assists. The Hawks reserves were also solid. Dennis Schroder scored 15 points with eight assists and Mike Scott contributed 14 points in 17 minutes. Atlanta forced 18 turnovers, including nine from LeBron James, who shot just 5-of-13 from the floor in scoring 18 points. Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers with 20 points, while Kevin Love added 14 with eight rebounds. The playoff-bound Hawks led by 17 in the first quarter. The Cavaliers trailed by as many as 12 early in the third, before taking their first lead in the period. The Hawks, however, dominated the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to pull away. Pacers 98, Bulls 84: Forward Solomon Hill had 16 points and center Ian Mahinmi added 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead Indiana to its fourth consecutive win, its longest winning streak of the season. The Pacers pulled away by outscoring the Bulls 32-18 in the fourth quarter. Rockets 103, Pistons 93: James Harden recorded his third triple-double of the season as Houston parlayed a second-half run into a win over Detroit. Harden finished with 38 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, hitting double figures in the last two categories on consecutive possessions early in the fourth quarter. Grizzlies 97, Lakers 90: Forward Zach Randolph had 24 points and 13 rebounds and center Marc Gasol scored 18 to lead the Memphis past the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won their sixth straight over the Lakers dating back to last season and improved to 4-0 against Los Angeles this season. Suns 108, Nets 100 (OT): Forward Marcus Morris scored 19 points and hit the go-ahead jumper with 90 seconds remaining in overtime as Phoenix rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Brooklyn. Morris was 9 of 21 from the floor but hit a three-pointer with 1:02 remaining in the fourth that forged a 92-92 tie. In the extra session, he scored his only points on a right elbow jumper that gave the Suns a 102-100 edge. Hornets 103, Raptors 94: Center Al Jefferson had 23 points and 13 rebounds, and guard Mo Williams also scored 23 points as the Hornets cruised to their fourth straight win. Jazz 89, 76ers 83: Forward Gordon Hayward scored 25 points and the Utah Jazz made a second-half defensive stand to get the victory. Magic 119, Kings 114: Guard Victor Oladipo had 32 points and 10 assists to lead Orlando past Sacramento. Spurs 120, Nuggets 111: Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, helping the San Antonio Spurs defeat Denver for their fourth consecutive victory. Wizards 99, Heat 97: Forward Nene Hilario scored 20 points and guard Bradley Beal had 17 as the Wizards held on after nearly blowing a 35-point, second-half lead. Celtics 104, Pelicans 98: Guard Isaiah Thomas came off the bench to score 17 of his team-high 27 points in the second half to power the Celtics. — Agencies
