(SportsNetwork.com) - The Brooklyn Nets are making a hard charge toward the playoffs and will put their season-best six-game winning streak to the test Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Nets have won 10 of their last 12 games, including Friday's 114-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center. Deron Williams had 31 points and 11 assists, while Brook Lopez ended with 30 points and 17 rebounds.
Thaddeus Young chipped in 29 points for Brooklyn, which shot 52.3 percent and held off the Raptors at the end.
An exciting fourth quarter that contained nine lead changes saw the teams all knotted at 109-109 when DeMar DeRozan stuck a baseline jumper with 36.9 seconds to play. Williams couldn't get a short runner to fall on the other end, but Young was in perfect position to tip in the miss and record the eventual game-winner with 22.2 seconds left.
DeRozan misfired on the ensuing possession and Young tipped the rebound out to Joe Johnson, who was fouled from behind by DeRozan and hit the sealing two free throws with just 9.6 seconds on the clock.
"Deron, Brook, Thad really had it going tonight," Johnson said. "They carried us throughout the whole game."
The Nets are seventh in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of Miami, 1 1/2 games in front of Boston, 2 1/2 games ahead of Indiana and three games clear of Charlotte.
Brooklyn has won three straight and five of six road games, and is 19-20 as the guest this season. It will play the next three games at home versus Portland, Atlanta and Washington.
The well-rested Hawks are prepping for the postseason and will play the next two games in the friendly confines of Philips Arena. The top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks will host the Phoenix Suns on this quick homestand and are 32-5 in the desert.
Atlanta had won three of four games until a 105-95 setback to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, as Thabo Sefolosha led the way with 19 points off the bench and Al Horford added 15. Shelvin Mack scored 12 points for the Southeast-champion Hawks, who shot 47.6 percent and turned the ball over 18 times for 22 Detroit points.
"I just think coach wants everybody to have good rhythm at this point," Horford said. "He just wants everybody to get more minutes."
The Hawks entered the game averaging 30.7 assists in their previous three games, but had 25 in a losing effort. They are second in the NBA with 25.6 assists per game.
Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, who left Atlanta's win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, was diagnosed with a toe sprain and is considered day-to-day.
Brooklyn is 0-2 against Atlanta this season and will host the Hawks April 8 at Barclays Center. The Hawks have won three straight in this series.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.