The Hawks ended the preseason with a 97-81 exhibition victory over the Bulls in Omaha, Neb. on Thursday.
On to the regular season.
The exhibition was played at the home of Creighton University where the Hawks’ Kyle Korver and the Bulls’ Doug McDermott starred in different years. Korver scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers. He finished the preseason 11 of 22 from long range in five games. McDermott also had 16 points.
The Hawks (5-2) were led by Dwight Howard with a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds. The center added three assists and a block. In addition, Kent Bazemore had 15 points, Paul Millsap had nine points, eight rebounds and five assists and Dennis Schroder had seven points and six assist. It was the second exhibition game the Hawks had their entire starting lineup. The starters played between 26-29 minutes, slightly less than normal regular-season playing time.
The Bulls (3-4) were led by Jimmy Butler with a game-high 18 points in 32 minutes.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said the game would be close to a full dress rehearsal for the season. Mike Muscala, Malcolm Delaney, Tim Hardaway Jr., Thabo Sefolosha and Kris Humphries were the primary reserves. Mike Scott, Will Bynum and rookies Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry played just five minutes after the Hawks had the game well in hand. Edy Tavares and Josh Magette did not play.
The Hawks open the regular season at home against the Wizards on Thursday.
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