The Atlanta Hawks unleashed a flurry to close the first half but a running Steve Nash three-point buzzer beater sends the home team into the intermission trailing the Phoenix Suns 55-48. Atlanta trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half.
Atlanta cranked up the defensive intensity late in the half behind solid play from both Kirk Hinrich and Josh Smith. Hinrich played 11 minutes in the first half and only scored four points but harassed Steve Nash and got the Hawks off and running. Josh Smith leads the way at the break with 13 points and five rebounds. Joe Johnson added 10 points while Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague have six each. Teague was effective early hitting 3-5 shots including a nice baseline drive and dunk but headed to the bench early in the second quarter after picking up his third personal foul.
Phoenix shot lights out in the first half connecting on 58 percent of its shots including going 5-8 from three-point range. Steve Nash led the charge with 17 points to go along with three assists. Jared Dudley added eight points and Channing Frye seven for the Suns. Phoenix's bench was solid outscorin Atlanta's bench 21-8 in the first half.
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