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Another Day In The NBA, Another New Jersey Loss, This Time To Atlanta
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Joe Johnson had 21 points and 10 assists as the Atlanta Hawks crushed the New Jersey Nets, 130-107, at Philips Arena.
Maurice Evans had 22 points and nine rebounds while Al Horford chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds for the Hawks, who have won four straight. Josh Smith added 16 points and eight boards and Jamal Crawford had 13 points and five assists.
“In the second quarter, it was pretty much where we wanted to be,” said Johnson. “Defensively, we picked it up. In the second half we didn’t let up.”
Devin Harris had 23 points and nine assists while Brook Lopez added 19 points and 12 boards for the Nets, who have dropped their past three games. Terrence Williams had 18 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
"In these types of situations, and I've been through them as a player, you recognize where you are, you recognize the reality. You don't use any excuses," said Nets coach Kiki Vandeweghe. "We know we're in a tough spot. You can call it a dark tunnel if you want."
The Nets held the lead through much of the first quarter, but Johnson closed the frame with a pair of buckets and his layup as time expired gave the Hawks a 31-29 lead heading into the second.
The game remained tight throughout the early stages of the second quarter and New Jersey took a 45-43 lead on consecutive three-pointers from Eduardo Najera and Courtney Lee with 5 1/2 minutes to play.
However, Crawford gave his team the lead back on the following touch with a three-pointer that sparked an 11-0 run. Atlanta moved ahead 54-45 on Horford’s jumper to cap the surge with three minutes to play and the hosts took a 62-50 lead into the locker room.
Atlanta maintained control in the third quarter and extended its lead with a quick 7-0 spurt just past the midway point, then used a late 10-2 run to take a 101-82 lead into the final quarter.
The deficit proved to be too much for the Nets, who never challenged the outcome from there.
New Jersey wraps up a three-game road trip in Cleveland on Tuesday...Atlanta hosts Memphis on Wednesday...The Nets took three of four against Atlanta last season...Nets forward Chris Douglas-Roberts sat out the game with a left knee injury. The team is awaiting results of an MRI to determine the extent of the injury...Atlanta improved to 10-2 at home while New Jersey is 1-14 as the guest...It was the most points New Jersey gave up this season..The Hawks finished the game with their second-highest point total of the season. The team scored 146 points in a win over Toronto on December 2.
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