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Johnson, Bibby lead Hawks over Bobcats

Oct 19, 2008 - 2:10 AM By Derek Smith PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Joe Johnson scored 22 points and Mike Bibby scored nine of his 14 in the fourth quarter to lift the Atlanta Hawks to a 102-96 exhibition win over the struggling Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The veteran Bibby sparked the Hawks in the final three minutes, knocking down a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 2:55 left to help his team take control from there. Bibby added three more baskets down the stretch to keep the Bobcats at bay.

Jason Richardson and Raymond Felton combined for 13 of the final 14 points for the Bobcats, but the Hawks proved to be too much.

Al Horford gave Atlanta the lead for good on a dunk with 6:29 to play on a pass from Flip Murray.

The Bobcats are now 0-5 in preseason under new coach Larry Brown, with four of those losses coming against Southeast Division foes. Atlanta improved to 4-2 with the win.

The Hawks were without the services of forward Marvin Williams (left thumb sprain) and Mario West (left ankle sprain).

Atlanta had strong contributions from two of its offseason signings. Maurice Evans, brought in to replace Josh Childress, had 13 points and four rebounds off the bench while Murray added 18, including six in the final period.

The Bobcats were without forward Adam Morrison, who missed the game with tendinitis in his left knee. Morrison missed all of last season with a torn left ACL.

Felton scored 20 points and Emeka Okafor added 18 and 11 rebounds for Charlotte.