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Hawks overpower Raptors, extend win streak to 11

Xinhua, January 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Atlanta Hawks dominated Toronto Raptors 110-89 to extend their winning streak to 11 games on Friday night in NBA action.

Atlanta improves to 32-8 on the season and have reeled off 25 wins in 27 games since starting the season 7-6.

Hawks Head coach Mike Budenholzer credits the team's defence-first approach for their success this season.

"Our defensive activity put us in a position to get some baskets and put us in a rhythm," said Budenholzer following the game in Toronto. "We've been talking about playing for 48 minutes and we're getting closer."

The victory was also Atlanta's eleventh straight road victory, setting a franchise record.

"We just try to not treat it any different than any other game," said Budenholzer on the team's approach in games played outside of Phillips Arena. "Whether you're on the road or at home, making all the little plays, tough plays and continue to play unselfishly."

Atlanta leads the league in road victories with 16, ahead of Chicago's 15.

Despite the team's hot start, Hawks players are not fully satisfied.

"I think it's important for us to keep playing well, together and focus on improving," said Hawks Center Al Horford, who scored a team-high 22 points on 8-8 shooting on Friday night. "We can't be satisfied because we're not even halfway through the season."

Horford believes the team's strides on the defensive end since the beginning of the season has been the main reason for their success.

"Our defence has been playing better. It's a big difference from November until now," said Horford. "I do feel like we seem to keep getting better."

Atlanta allowed opponents to score 104.4 points in their first thirteen games compared to 93.5 points the following 27 games, a 10.9 point improvement.

"I think we all knew in the locker room that we had a chance to be really good. You can think it, but you have to go out there and get it done," said Horford. "That's what we've been doing. We've been playing hard and we've had some success now."

With 42 games left in the season, Horford and his teammates have a chance to achieve something special. The team is on pace to best the franchise record of 57 wins in a season, last accomplished in the 1993-94 season. Endi