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Smith, Horford carry Hawks past Warriors

Dec 30, 2010 - 3:16 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Josh Smith and Al Horford dominated the inside play with a combined 43 points and 25 rebounds, as Atlanta posted its ninth straight home win, a 103-93 decision over the Golden State Warriors.

Smith had 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Horford totaled 21 points and 15 boards. Joe Johnson chipped in 16 points and eight assists for the Hawks, who have won four of five overall. Mike Bibby ended with 15 points.

"We had to do it against a team like this," Smith said of Atlanta's dominant inside play. "They had a couple bigs out and our main focus from the get-go was to try and get the ball to me and Al and be able to create for others. I think we got away from it a little bit, but we went back to it later on."

Dorell Wright had a career-high 32 points and added 11 rebounds for the Warriors, who were trying to win a fourth straight contest for the first time since February 26 - March 4, 2008. They have dropped six of their last seven on the road. David Lee added 14 points, Monta Ellis 12 and Lou Amundson 10 in defeat.

"You know how the travel can get you sometimes," Warriors coach Keith Smart said. "We didn't have the necessary energy that was going to be needed and everyone had to be playing a very high level to complete this game. We didn't have that."

Wright's tip-in had the Warriors within 82-77 with 9:26 remaining, but the Hawks didn't let Golden State get within one possession in the last period. Smith fed Horford for an alley-oop jam and an 89-79 cushion inside six minutes remaining. The Warriors didn't get closer than six points the rest of the way.

Jamal Crawford's three-pointer in the dying seconds of the opening quarter gave the Hawks a 29-27 lead. Atlanta then opened the second with 10 consecutive points, capped by a Marvin Williams layup. Wright had 12 points in that second quarter, including a three in the closing minute to get the Warriors within 52-47 at the break.

Stephen Curry drained a jumper 12 seconds into the third quarter, but the Hawks continued to shoot effectively from long distance with Johnson canning a three, followed by two from Bibby for a 61-49 cushion.

Golden State got as close as four later in the third, but fell behind by a 78-69 count moving to the fourth.

Game Notes

Since the start of the 2008-09 season, Atlanta has recorded a 77-22 mark on their home court...Johnson passed Lenny Wilkens (8,601) and moved into 10th place on the Hawks' scoring list. Bill Bridges is next at 8,698...Williams exited the game in the third quarter with a lower back contusion...Curry had nine points and 12 assists.