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5QT: On-the-rise Brooklyn gives Atlanta hope

ATLANTA — Five quick takes after the Brooklyn Nets' 114-112 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night...

1. If the Nets make the playoffs this season, it should only give the Hawks more hope that what they are doing is the right thing. The Nets have not had a lottery pick in nine years, while the Hawks have had plenty. However, the Hawks (22-45) are doing what the Nets have done in terms of culture. This is not a typical losing franchise. They are building a winning culture from the top on down.

2.John Collins is special. Before the game, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters he was telling the players how good of a rebounder is. Boy was he right. Collins had 13 rebounds before the fourth quarter. I also spoke to one scout at the game who said Collins would be an All-Star. He is legit. Collins finished with 33 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.

3. The Nets (35-33) need these games. They need them. If they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15, games against below-.500 teams will be vital. Fortunately for them, they got the win. Though they have won three consecutive games, this next month will not be kind to them. They managed to prevail in this one, moving into a tie for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, despite missing a staggering 21 free throws.

4.Trae Young put up his first triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the Hawks, who have lost three straight. The rookie is now second in the NBA in total assists. Don’t sleep on the fifth overall pick.

5.Spencer Dinwiddie is Brooklyn’s X-factor. Bringing him off the bench is a luxury most NBA teams don't have. If he can continue to have nights where he has almost 20 points before the fourth quarter even begins, the Nets will be able to continue their winning ways in their final stretch of the season. Brooklyn improved to 17-5 since Dec. 7 in games in which the margin has been five points or fewer in the final five minutes.