Raptors rout Hawks in Hot-lanta

The Toronto Raptors proved they're a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.

They also showed once again they can beat the Atlanta Hawks — and in convincing fashion.

The matchup of the Eastern Conference's top teams turned into rout as Toronto opened the second half of the season with a surprisingly lopsided 105-80 win over the Hawks on Friday night.

Lou Williams had 26 points while making seven of 10 3-pointers and DeMar DeRozan had 21 points for Toronto. The Raptors outscored the Hawks 28-13 in the third quarter to turn a close game into a 23-point lead.

Atlanta still has a 5 1/2-game lead over Toronto in the Eastern Conference standings, but the Raptors won the season series 3-1. No other team has two wins over the Hawks.

Williams said the Raptors were motivated by Atlanta's similarly lopsided 110-89 win at Toronto on Jan. 16.

"We were embarrassed on our home court so we wanted to come out and play with that on our mind," Williams said.

The Raptors won with defence. Williams had four of Toronto's 15 steals — matching the team's season high. The Raptors blocked nine shots.

"We were scrambling," said DeRozan, who had three steals. "We tried not to let them get anything easy. We didn't want to let them get going, get a rhythm. As long as we do that, we can live with the outcome."

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said the Raptors "really took it to us."

Atlanta's Al Horford said the Hawks wouldn't be worried about a matchup with Toronto if the teams meet in the playoffs.

"No. Give them credit, they're a great team," Horford said. "But we're a confident group."

The Hawks have lost four of seven following a team-record 19-game winning streak.

The Hawks and Raptors set team records for wins before the All-Star break, and neither made moves before Thursday's trade deadline. Toronto backed up that show of confidence in the final regular-season meeting of the clubs.

The Raptors stretched their 49-45 halftime lead with a dominant third quarter. Atlanta made only three of 19 shots. Kyle Korver had a dismal period, missing all five of his shots while committing two turnovers.

Budenholzer turned the game over to backups such as Mike Muscala, John Jenkins and Shelvin Mack for much of the final period.

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