Hawks sting Hornets, set playoff date with Wizards

Oct 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) goes for a lay up against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Kings 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks beat the Charlotte Hornets 103-76 on Tuesday with 19 points and 12 rebounds from center Dwight Howard to set an NBA playoff date with the Washington Wizards.

The Hawks’ fourth-straight victory assured them of the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, guaranteeing they’ll play the fourth-seeded Wizards in the first round when the post-season kicks off over the weekend.

“We’ve been here before,” said Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer, whose team has endured a roller-coaster regular season marked by soaring winning streaks and dispiriting skids.

“Last four games it’s been a simple message — compete, stay together — and guys are doing that well.”

Howard connected on seven of nine attempts from the floor as the Hawks beat the Hornets for the first time in four games this season.

Paul Millsap added 10 points and seven rebounds and Ersan Ilyasova chipped in 10 for Atlanta, who rested their key players in the fourth quarter.

Everyone on the Hawks roster scored. Thabo Sefolosha, who missed the previous eight games with a right groin strain, limbered up for the playoffs, entering in the second quarter and finishing with four points. Atlanta seized control in the first quarter when Howard scored 10 points. The Hawks shot 72 percent from the field in the period and led 38-26.

The Hawks stayed hot in the second quarter and led by as many as 21 points on three occasions on the way to a 63-44 halftime lead.

Atlanta pushed their lead to as many as 29 in the third. They were up by 34 with 2:43 left in the contest.

“I was pleased with our defensive activity, our aggressiveness at times was really, really good, the ball movement,” said Budenholzer.

While the Hawks and Wizards are locked in for the first round, plenty remained to be decided on Wednesday’s final night of the regular season.