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Johnson, Hawks take down Knicks

Jan 29, 2011 - 4:12 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Joe Johnson filled the stat sheet with 34 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Atlanta Hawks took a 111-102 win over the New York Knicks at Philips Arena.

Josh Smith had 24 points and nine rebounds while Al Horford added 19 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Hawks, who have won four of their last six.

"It was definitely a playoff atmosphere in this game," said Smith. "I felt as though we had to play up to the ability of a team that just beat one of the hottest teams in the NBA. We took care of business at home."

Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points and Raymond Felton added 21 points and 13 assists for the Knicks, who had won their previous two coming into the game.

"We came out soft and paid for it," said New York head coach Mike D'Antoni. "If we would have played the first half like we did the second half, we could have won this game. I'm proud of the way we came back, but at the same time we've got to solve the problem that other teams score easily for a while, then we get mad and then we start playing harder."

The first quarter was tight through the first several minutes, but Atlanta netted six straight points and later got a three-ball and long basket from Jamal Crawford to help the team take a 30-21 lead after 12 minutes.

Atlanta led by double-digits after a basket and two free throws from Marvin Williams yielded a 49-35 advantage with five minutes left in the second.

The Hawks ended the half with a 7-2 run to take a 60-43 advantage into the locker room.

The Hawks led by as many as 24 in the third quarter, but New York used a 9-0 run to get back into the contest and cut its deficit to 91-76 heading to the final frame.

A 10-3 run from New York in the latter stages of the fourth got the team to within five points, 102-97, after Stoudemire hit a jumper with just over four minutes to play.

However, Smith countered with a three-pointer and New York was unable to get closer than six in the final minutes.

There was an altercation in the final minute between Shawne Williams of New York and Marvin Williams of Atlanta as the two threw punches at each other after Marvin shoved Shawne a couple of times. Both players were ejected from the game.

"I know for a long time I did not throw no punch, period," said Shawne Williams. "He swung at me first and I don't know if he hit me, scratched me or what. I just put my left hand up to protect my face, but I didn't swing. I really just backed up."

Game Notes

Atlanta plays in Dallas on Saturday...New York hosts Detroit on Sunday...The Hawks took a 99-90 decision in New York on November 27...Atlanta hit 51.2 percent of its shots while New York made 47.1 percent of its attempts...Shawne Williams had 12 points and 11 rebounds.