NBA: Atlanta 117, Milwaukee 87

ATLANTA, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Flip Murray scored 25 points off the bench Friday, helping the Atlanta Hawks break the game open in the second half and defeat Milwaukee 117-87.

The Hawks, who won their third straight game, led by only five early in the third period but wound up outscoring the Bucks by 19 in the second half.

Murray hit 11-of-13 shots from the field and Josh Smith added 24 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks. Marvin Williams, who had missed two games with concussion-like symptoms, returned to score 11 points in 27 minutes.

Milwaukee could not make a game of it despite a big night from Charlie Villanueva. He made 10-of-14 shots, missed just once in six attempts from three-point range and scored 27 points. The Bucks have lost three out of four.

After Milwaukee closed within 60-55 early in the third period, Atlanta went on a 12-2 run to take control.

The Bucks have lost in each of their last five trips to Atlanta.