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Smith, Hawks extend win streak over Pacers

Jan 9, 2011 - 3:32 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Josh Smith logged 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, highlighting the Atlanta Hawks' 108-93 triumph over the Indiana Pacers.

Joe Johnson scored 24 points and Jamal Crawford added 20 for the Hawks, who were coming off a 3-1 road trip and used a big third quarter to drop the Pacers for a ninth straight time.

Mike Bibby scored 12 of his 15 points in the third, helping Atlanta turn a five-point halftime lead into a 16-point advantage.

"Everybody was moving the ball around, and I thought Josh Smith had a phenomenal game," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said. "We had productivity from a lot of guys. That's how we've been playing and that's how we've been winning."

Danny Granger and Darren Collison netted 16 and 13 points, respectively, for the Pacers, who have dropped three straight.

Smith and Bibby carried Atlanta in the game-altering third quarter, combining for 26 points to help build an insurmountable lead. The latter hit a three- pointer and followed with three free throws on the ensuing possession for a 71-57 lead at the 4:55 mark, and the former scored Atlanta's final 10 points in the frame.

The Pacers trailed 84-68 heading to the fourth and never seriously threatened in the final stanza.

"The Hawks are a really good basketball team," Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien said. "They are a terrifically talented basketball team, and they are just a little too much for us to handle right now."

The Hawks led by as many as nine in the first quarter and were on top, 29-24, after 12 minutes of play. It was still a five-point margin, 55-50, in favor of the Hawks after an evenly-played second stanza.

Game Notes

The Hawks started the season 3-5 at home but have won their last 10 games at Philips Arena. Conversely, the Pacers opened the year 5-2 on the road and are now 5-11 as the visitor...Hawks guard Jeff Teague suffered a right hand contusion early on and did not return...Al Horford chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who went 11-of-22 from three-point range...Tyler Hansbrough and Paul George each scored 10 points for Indiana.