The Hawks and Pelicans met at State Farm Arena in a game notable for the return of Dejounte Murray after spending two seasons with the Hawks. But the Hawks, at full strength after a three-game winning streak, were expected to handle the struggling Pelicans, who are on an eight-game losing streak.

Still, you never know. That’s why they play the games.

However, the Hawks had a somewhat rocky start to the game as they lacked any flow on offense. But after a timeout — one in which a Murray montage played for the fans — the Hawks picked up the energy and shot to a 14-11 lead after an 8-0 run.

Dyson Daniels was of course up to his normal thieving ways.

Later, Bogdan Bogdanovic showed his skills as a sniper.

But the Hawks hit another lull and the skinny Pelicans built a 26-21 lead late in the first quarter.

The Pelicans led 28-26 after one quarter.

The Hawks turned things up a bit in the second quarter. Kobe Bufkin had some nice throws toward the basket, like this one below.

However, Atlanta simply couldn’t string together good periods of play and they were in danger of losing a rather unfortunate game. The team began the game by shooting 3-for-19 (16%) from distance, which virtually doomed them in the first half.

Despite everything, the Hawks were only one point behind at halftime: 59-58. Dyson Daniels was the team’s leading scorer with 11 points.

Daniels started the second half similar to the first half.

The Hawks held on despite missing a lot of easy scoring chances – although a limited New Orleans roster probably helped in that regard, too.

A sudden surge in scoring from Trae Young gave the Hawks their largest lead of the night at 80-73. That step back felt as cold as the winter outside.

Later, Jalen Johnson hit an impossible pass in the corner to perfectly set up “Dre” Hunter.

Atlanta took the lead 92:85 in the final period.

But the Hawks fumbled the ball several times early in the fourth quarter, allowing the Pelicans to get back into the game.

But the Hawks responded and cut the lead to eight points, partly behind that emphatic Johnson jam.

From that point on, the Hawks played as calmly as ever and never put the game in danger again.

Atlanta quietly finished the game 124-112.

De’Andre Hunter scored 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting off the bench. Jalen Johnson added 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Dyson Daniels contributed 19 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Dejounte Murray shot just 2 of 15 in his home game and scored seven points.

The win brings Atlanta back to .500 at 11-11. They will now travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on Wednesday.