NEW YORK (AFP) - The top-seeded Atlanta Hawks romped past the Brooklyn Nets 111-87 on Friday to punch their ticket to the second round of the NBA play-offs.

The Hawks used a strong start to the second half to turn a slim lead at the interval into a blow-out, completing a 4-2 triumph over the Nets in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series.

Atlanta face the Washington Wizards in the second round.

They will host game one on Sunday against a Wizards team who swept the Toronto Raptors in four games.

The Hawks won three of their four regular-season games against Washington.