ATLANTA (AP) -- Paul Millsap scored 19 points and the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks again survived a tougher-than-expected test from the Brooklyn Nets, holding on for a 96-91 victory and a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series Wednesday night.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks
Deron Williams of the Brooklyn Nets drives between Pero Antic and Jeff Teague of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Squandering an early 12-point lead, the Hawks fell behind before halftime and spent the rest of the game struggling to put away the No. 8 seed.

It went down to the wire. Deron Williams missed an open 15-foot jumper that would've tied it with about 10 seconds to go. Kyle Korver rebounded, was fouled and made two free throws to clinch Atlanta's win.

The best-of-seven shifts to Brooklyn for the next two contests. Game 3 is Saturday.

Millsap, who missed five games near the end of the season with a sprained right shoulder, ditched a pad that he felt restricted his shooting motion. He responded by hitting 7 of 11 shots.

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