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Williams, Patterson help Bucks coast past Hawks

Apr 17, 2007 - 5:27 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks' losing streak had nothing to do with coach Mike Woodson feeling sick. With the way the Hawks have been playing lately, it certainly could not help him feel any better.

Maurice Williams scored 26 points and Ruben Patterson added 23 as the Milwaukee Bucks recorded a 102-96 victory over the Hawks.

Charlie Bell scored 14 points and Earl Boykins had nine and eight assists for the Bucks, who have won two of their last three games after dropping 11 of 12.

"You've got to try to win the ones you can win," Bell said. "Paper-wise, it was a team we were supposed to beat. With this being our last home game, we wanted to go out there and give the fans something to think about one last time. We had a lot of injuries and this season was difficult. A win, going into the summer, was good for our fans and hopefully next year it will be a lot better."

Atlanta, which has lost 12 of their 14 games, was without Woodson on the sidelines due to food poisoning. Assistant Larry Drew guided the team in his absence.

"I enjoyed it," Drew said. "It was my first crack at it. I've been in the league as an assistant coach for 15 years and I've got a long resume of summer league games, but this is my first NBA game. I enjoyed it very much."

Following a dunk by Solomon Jones that brought the Hawks within 80-69 with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter, the Bucks pulled away. David Noel capped Milwaukee's 16-6 run over the next 7:05 with consecutive 3-pointers to put the Bucks up, 96-75.

"There's a different toughness about us (with Larry Krystkowiak as coach)," Bell said. "He's a competitor. I think next year, we'll get guys healthy and it will be different. Guys will know that if they mess up, (they will) come out of the game. He's not going to take any mess from nobody. He wants to win."

Atlanta would get no closer than the final margin.

Marvin Williams scored 21 and Shelden Williams added 16 and 17 rebounds to record his third straight double-double for the Hawks.

"My young guys, the frontcourt, did a great job," Drew said. "Shelden Williams gave us a tremendous effort. Marvin Williams got into a rhythm. Josh Smith played a pretty good game - he can play better. My frontline guys played solid tonight."