Instant Replay: Sixers 101, Hawks 90

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ATLANTA -- The Sixers entered Friday’s game against the Hawks intent on redeeming themselves for Wednesday night’s loss to the league-worst Bobcats.

The Sixers did just that by rolling to a 101-90 victory over the Hawks. The Sixers’ record stands at 31-44 with seven games remaining in the regular season.

Turning point
The Sixers came out of the locker room strong in the third quarter. They quickly grew their 13-point halftime lead to 19 with 7:38 to go in the quarter.

Through three quarters, the Sixers led the playoff-bound Hawks by 18 points.

Follow the leader
Evan Turner led the Sixers with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Spencer Hawes had 19 points and 12 rebounds for his 18th double-double of the season.

Josh Smith led the Hawks with 19 points, while Al Horford scored 18.

Stat-egic
The Sixers scored 40 points in the first quarter on 16-of-22 shooting. The 40 points were their highest total of any quarter this season and their 73 percent shooting was also a season high.

They also had 10 assists in the quarter after having 16 for the entire game on Wednesday.

Take a bow
Thaddeus Young made his first six shots and finished with his 20th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Young finished the game 6 of 9 from the field.

Health check
Dorell Wright did not play because of a right elbow contusion that he suffered in the Sixers’ game last Saturday against the Bobcats. He has fluid in the elbow that is causing him pain.

Wright did play in Wednesday’s loss and was 5 of 9 from the floor for 14 points. He is a game-time decision for Saturday’s matchup in Miami.

What’s next?
The Sixers will face the Heat on Saturday night.

This game was circled on plenty of calendars a short while ago when the Heat were on their lengthy win streak and it appeared that the record-tying number of 33 straight could come against the Sixers.

Now, there is a good chance that the Sixers could face an entirely different version of the Heat as Miami continues to rest players for the postseason. LeBron James (strained right hamstring) and Dwyane Wade (sprained right ankle) have not played since March 29.

The Heat still have a 10-game lead on the Knicks for first place in the Eastern Conference. They also have four fewer losses than the Spurs and are in good position to have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

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