ATLANTA -- Paul Millsap scored 21 points and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after losing a fourth-quarter lead to beat the Charlotte Hornets 117-114 in overtime in an exhibition game on Monday night.<br />
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Elton Brand's jumper and two free throws by Thabo Sefolosha gave the Hawks a 116-112 lead. Brian Roberts answered with a jumper to cut the lead to two points. Sefolosha, who had 12 points, made one of two free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining. Charlotte's P.J. Hairston missed a last-second 3-pointer.<br />
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Kyle Korver had 17 points and Mike Scott, who had four 3-pointers, had 16 for Atlanta.<br />
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Gary Neal led Charlotte with 21 points, including two free throws with 1:23 remaining in regulation for a 103-101 advantage - the Hornets' first lead since late in the opening period.<br />
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Cody Zeller had 18 points and Kemba Walker had 17 for Charlotte.<br />
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A basket by Korver and free throw by Millsap gave Atlanta a 104-103 lead. The Hornets pulled even when Zeller made one of two free throws with 15 seconds remaining. Atlanta's DeMarre Carroll missed a long jumper at the end of regulation.<br />
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The Hornets rested Al Jefferson and also held out Marvin Williams (right elbow contusion), Gerald Henderson (right hamstring) and Lance Stephenson (groin).<br />
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The Hawks led 58-43 at halftime but were outscored 34-24 in the third period. The Hornets twice pulled even, the last time at 77-77 on Jannero Pargo's jumper, before the Hawks scored the final five points of the period.<br />
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TIP-INS<br />
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Hornets: Zeller fouled out in overtime. ... Henderson has not played in the preseason. ... Hornets coach Steve Clifford said before the game he was glad to face the Hawks in the preseason because "of all the teams we faced last year, the Hawks were the team we couldn't guard."... Bismack Biyombo had five points and 10 rebounds. ... Roberts had 14 points.<br />
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Hawks: Atlanta had a 20-0 run that began with the last two baskets of the opening quarter and extended through the first 16 points of the second. ... Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said he is moving closer to a playing rotation he hopes to carry into the regular season. ... Al Horford had 10 points and logged 23 minutes as his playing time increased for the third straight game in his comeback from a torn right pectoral muscle.<br />
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<b>UP NEXT</b><br />
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Hornets: Thursday night vs. Indiana.<br />
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Hawks: Wednesday night at San Antonio.
