ATLANTA - With their season on the verge of slipping away, the Atlanta Hawks arent going for style points, theyre just glad to string together a couple of wins. Kyle Korver scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to help Atlanta beat the Milwaukee Bucks 102-97 Thursday night for the Hawks first back-to-back victories in nearly six weeks. The Hawks (28-35) expanded their lead over the surging Knicks (26-40) for the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the East to 3 1/2 games. Their victory over the team with the worst record in the NBA followed Mondays 104-102 victory over Utah, the team with the worst record in the Western Conference. Like the Bucks (13-52), the Hawks entered the game having lost 14 of 16, and their first home game after a six-game road trip had an odd feel. "The last two havent been pretty, but theyre wins and its two in a row so were going to try to build on that," said Korver, who was 4 for 4 from the foul line and 3 for 4 from the field in the final period, including 2 for 3 on 3-pointers. "The first game back after a (long) road trip is notoriously a trap game, and I think we fell for it a bit in the first half and didnt come out with the right energy and focus, at least I didnt." Korvers backcourt mate, Jeff Teague, scored 22 points with eight in a final period that saw 12 lead changes and four ties. The Hawks took the lead for good when Korvers 3-pointer gave them a 90-89 edge with 2:15 left. That came moments after Korver missed from long distance, and reserve centre Elton Brand grabbed the rebound and fired it back to the sharpshooter. That play more than any ruined the Atlanta homecoming of Bucks coach Larry Drew, who was the Hawks head coach from 2010-13. He was not asked to return for the final season of his contract, although Atlanta never officially fired him. "If we come up with that rebound were not in that position," Drew said. "You cant leave a guy like that that open. Or even put him in that position, because Kyle is, if not the best shooter, hes one of the top three in our league." Korvers 3 triggered a 9-0 run that was punctuated by Teagues thunderous dunk with 27 second remaining for a 96-89 lead. Ersan Ilyasova had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee, and guard Brandon Knight added 20 points. Every Atlanta starter, even centre Pero Antic, made at least one 3-pointer. The Hawks were 13 for 29 from beyond the arc. Milwaukee had just eight turnovers and a modest 43-41 rebounding edge, but went 3 for 19 on 3-point attempts. Trailing 53-47 at halftime, the Hawks took a 68-67 lead by closing the third quarter with a 9-0 run during which they made four straight shots. Milwaukee shot 4 for 21 in the period, and scored one point over the final 4:08 of a 14-point quarter. "Our defence picked us up and allowed us to get back in the game," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We keep talking about being better defensively, and at some point weve got to carry it over to the court." Both teams found energy in the final quarter, when the Hawks outscored the Bucks 34-30. Teague, who pitched in eight assists but also committed seven turnovers, was happy with the win because, he said, "Nobody is bad in the NBA. On any given night, anybody can beat anybody." Budenholzer was more mindful of Atlantas opponent. He did not consider his team to be back on track. "No; not really. I think were going to have to play a whole lot better than this going forward," Budenholzer said. "Wins are important ... but I dont think anybody thinks were settled." NOTES: Hawks centre Al Horford, who has been out since tearing his right pectoral muscle Dec. 26 in an overtime win at Cleveland, said he will not return to play this seven even if Atlanta makes the playoffs. He returned after suffering a similar injury to his left pectoral in 2011-12. "No. I think it would be hard. This injury, honestly, was a little more severe than the other one," he explained in his first meeting with reporters since the injury. "And its my right side, shooting arm, and I need to feel 100 per cent confident with it, so I think its going to be a little bit slower." Isiah Thomas Jersey . The Hockey Canada Foundation is donating $50,000, with Hockey Quebec contributing $15,000. Hockey Canada also announced it will hold a skills camp for all levels of minor hockey in Lac-Mégantic during the 2013-14 season. 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Stanley Johnson Pistons Jersey . - Leon Draisaitl scored a hat trick as the Prince Albert Raiders stormed past the Swift Current Broncos 5-2 in Western Hockey League action Tuesday.Jamie Carragher says Rafa Benitez is the man to bring trophies back to Newcastle - if he can keep them up this season. Benitez has 10 games to rescue the clubs Premier League status after agreeing to replace sacked head coach Steve McClaren in a revised role of manager.If he succeeds, the Spaniard will begin work on a three-year contract, while relegation will leave him the option of walking away. Supporters waiting for a first trophy since 1969 should not get too hung up on that release clause, according to Carragher, who won the Champions League under Benitez at Liverpool and believes Newcastle have finally found a worthy successor to Sir Bobby Robson. Five challenges for Rafa Five issues for Rafa Benitez to address at Newcastle I think for Newcastle, its a fantastic appointment to get a manager of that calibre, the Sky Sports expert said. I think over the last decade, youd have to go back to Bobby Robson [to find someone] who has won that many honours.These next 10 games - if he can get through those, then over the next three years he could be the man that stops that rot of trophies. Hes won so many trophies in his career. Sky Sports News HQs Keith Downie gets reaction from fans as Benitez takes over at Newcastle The fans shouldnt be concerned, not at all. For any Newcastle fan, forget the next three years, focus on the next 10 games. If youre a fan and Newcastle went down, you wouldnt want Rafa, youd want someone that has experience in that league and has success in that league. Rafa wont wannt to be there.dddddddddddd Rafa Benitez and Jamie Carragher won the Champions League together at Liverpool in 2005 It works perfectly for both parties; if he keeps them up, itll be a great appointment over the next three or four years and hopefully he can get Newcastle back up the table I think the next 10 games are all that matters for everyone involved.Benitez has a CV featuring some of Europes most well-known clubs, but has little experience of fighting a relegation battle. Benitez calls his players in on a day off to put them through training on his first day in the job I cant remember ever seeing Rafa at this end of the table, Carragher told Sky Sports News HQ. Thats why Im interested in seeing how he goes about it. Thats why Im interested in seeing how he manages, how he prepares his players.Motivation? Thats not Rafas biggest strength. He will look at how they suffer tactically. Rafa was probably the best I had with setting up a back four. Theres probably going to be a lot of repetition and he wont apologise for that. Those players will work hard - whoever theyre playing, it will be a difficult game for them. It wont be the open expansive style the fans want, for now he will be focusing on trying to make Newcastle difficult to beat. Also See: Newcastle appoint Benitez Rafa cancels players day off McClaren: I couldve saved Toon Five challenges facing Benitez ' ' '