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Warriors look to tighten up on defense vs. Hawks

Jan 31, 2007 - 5:10 PM Golden State (21-24) at Atlanta (16-27) 7:00 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- An inability to play tougher defense could ultimately lead to another season without a playoff appearance for the Golden State Warriors.

Coach Don Nelson attempts to guide the Warriors to their third victory in four games Wednesday when they close January against the Atlanta Hawks in the second contest of a six-game road trip.

Ranked last in the league in points allowed (107.2), Golden State is just 5-8 this month and is just 4-16 on the road this season. Only the Memphis Grizzlies have fewer victories away from home.

Golden State allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers to set a season high in points and place eight players in double figures in Tuesday's 124-97 defeat. Baron Davis scored 21 points and Al Harrington added 13 for the Warriors, who had their six-game streak of 100-point contests ended.

Despite an 8-12 home mark, the Hawks have captured three of their four contests and have a one-half game edge over the Charlotte Bobcats in the race to avoid last place in the Southeast Division.

Atlanta is coming off Monday's 93-83 victory over the Orlando Magic. Joe Johnson scored 34 points and Josh Smith had 19 with 12 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double.

Golden State has won seven of the last eight encounters against the Hawks. The teams split their two meetings last season.