NEW YORK – Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson watched his players let a 21-point lead slip to two and was reminded of the offensive flaws that sent the team spiraling on an eight-game skid a few weeks ago.
Needing a spark on the offensive end, Atkinson made sure D’Angelo Russell led the way.
Russell scored 32 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 18 as the Nets beat the Atlanta Hawks 144-127 on Sunday for their fifth straight win.
Joe Harris had 16 points and Spencer Dinwiddie added 15 off the bench for the Nets, who last won five straight on March 25-April 2, 2015.
Atkinson noticed a different team to start the third quarter as the ball moved and the Nets pushed toward the basket more.
“I was worried at halftime. I said this game is too loose. It’s too up and down,” Atkinson said. “They play fast, and we knew we had to start that third quarter with an edge, and I felt we did.”
Atlanta cut Brooklyn’s 21-point lead to 66-64 when Kent Bazemore capped a 6-0 run with two free throws late in the first half. But the Nets pulled away in the third quarter with an 11-5 run to make it 108-92 after Russell found Ed Davis cutting to the basket for a dunk.
Russell then found Jared Dudley for a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 111-94 with 14 seconds left in the third, one of 34 assists by the Nets. That matched a season high set Friday against Washington.
“I think (the success is due to) just our commitment for wanting to see each other do better,” said Russell, who finished with seven assists and no turnovers, becoming the first Net with that line since Vince Carter on March 19, 2008, against the Hawks.
“Like I said, everybody is aggressive at the appropriate time but still wanting to make that extra pass for the next guy, still having your teammates’ back on the defensive end, that rotation,” Russell added. “We’re making those plays.”
Brooklyn also notched a season-high 12 steals.
John Collins scored 29 points and Dewayne Dedmon had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks, who have lost three straight and seven of eight.
Atlanta stumbled in the first quarter and trailed 42-23 at the end of it. The Hawks shot 10-for-23 from the field in the period as the Nets went 16-of-26, including 7-for-14 from the 3-point line.
“It’s all about figuring a way to get us going,” said Bazemore, who finished with 20 points.
The Hawks have lost their past five road games, dropping to 2-14 away from home this season.
Hawks rookie point guard Trey Young had 13 points and 10 assists. Atlanta had 38 assists on 47 baskets.
Former Nets guard Jeremy Lin returned to Brooklyn and said he wished things had ended differently. Lin was surprised and upset with the trade that sent him to Atlanta on July 12 after two years and just 37 games in Brooklyn due to injuries.
“Honestly, coming in the building, just thankful,” said Lin, who had averaged 10.8 points and 41 percent shooting from the 3-point line in 25 games this season entering Sunday. “As sad as it is when I think of Brooklyn, obviously, I just think of a lot of injuries and things like that. It’s quite a contrast to being healthy, being able to participate in a game.”
Carter, who is 41 and has played for eight teams in his NBA career – he was with the Nets from 2004 to ’09 – is also on the Hawks’ roster. He contributed 19 minutes off the bench Sunday, scoring seven points with three assists and a block.