Atlanta’s Joe Johnson produced a big-time performance in the fourth quarter to steer the Hawks to a 105-100 win over the injury-hit Jazz on Monday, their first victory in Utah since 1993.
The Hawks’ All-Star guard scored 11 of his game-high 28 points in the last quarter, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 2:28 remaining.
“I thought we were very composed tonight,” Johnson told reporters. “In the fourth quarter when we did get down we were able to not get rattled and make a run of our own and kind of close the game out.”
Winners of 17 of their last 19 games entering the contest, Utah (36-20) played without starting point guard Deron Williams (bruised right quad) and forward Andrei Kirilenko (back) but managed to compete all the way in a tightly contested affair.
Paul Millsap had 14 points to lead seven players in double-figures scoring for the Jazz, who led by six with under nine minutes to play.
After Johnson gave the Hawks (35-20) a two-point lead with his late three-pointer, he then sank a 15-foot shot to push the advantage to four with 37 seconds left and tacked on two free throws.
Josh Smith recorded 18 points and nine rebounds while Jamal Crawford put up 17 points off the bench for Atlanta which swept its season-series with the Jazz and snapped a 15-game losing streak in Utah.
In the process, the Hawks rebounded from a disappointing loss to the Golden State Warriors one night earlier when they squandered an 18-point lead in the second half.
The Jazz overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in a game Williams exited due to his leg injury before returning to lead the rally. With the All-Star unavailable against Atlanta, Utah put together a complete team effort.
Carlos Boozer recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds and reserve Kyle Korver had 13 but the Jazz missed a chance to tie the Denver Nuggets for first place in the Northwest Division.
“We can’t make excuses,” Millsap said. “[Injuries] just gives other guys the opportunity to step up. For the most part we did a good job, but we just didn’t come out with the win.”
CLIPPERS 98, BOBCATS 94
In Dallas, Brendan Haywood tied a career high with 20 rebounds and Dallas improved to 4-0 with him as their starting center, beating Indiana.
Haywood, who came from Washington in a trade this month, scored 13 points and added three blocks to anchor a defense that was struggling. The Mavericks have held all five opponents since the trade to less than 100 points after the previous eight broke that mark.
Dirk Nowitzki’s 23 points led Dallas, who opened a 3-1/2 game gap atop the Southwest Division.
T.J. Ford led the Pacers with 14 points.
CLIPPERS 98, BOBCATS 94
In Los Angeles, Rasual Butler scored 20 points to lead Los Angeles over Charlotte.
Chris Kaman had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who have won consecutive games after starting 0-5 under interim coach Kim Hughes.
Drew Gooden and Travis Outlaw both made their debuts for the Clippers after joining them from Washington and Houston respectively before last Thursday’s deadline.
Gerald Wallace had 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Bobcats.
WIZARDS 101, BULLS 95
In Washington, Andray Blatche scored 25 points and had 11 rebounds to lead Washington over Chicago.
Blatche, averaging 25 points in the four games since the trades of Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, helped Washington to its first three-game home winning streak since 2007-08. He also made all nine of his free throws.
Early in the third quarter, the Wizards scored 14 straight to take a 62-58 lead, holding Chicago scoreless for 6 minutes, 10 seconds.
Derrick Rose scored 22 points to lead the Bulls, who lost their first game in five.
BUCKS 83, KNICKS 67
In New York, Milwaukee made it three straight wins, beating punchless New York.
Andrew Bogut had 24 points and 20 rebounds in his third career 20-20 game. The Australian overwhelmed the Knicks’ smaller front line, shooting. 12 of 15 from the field in his first 20-20 game this season.
John Salmons scored 15 points for the Bucks, who forced the Knicks into their lowest score of the season and completed a three-game sweep of the series.
Tracy McGrady scored 15 points in his second game with the Knicks, but shot only 5 of 14. He wasn’t alone in struggling, as the team hit just 33.8 percent from the field in its season-high seventh straight loss.
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