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Hawks and Bobcats meet in Dixie

Feb 12, 2011 - 3:43 PM (Sports Network) - Atlanta hopes to bounce back from one of its worst performances of the season and salvage the back end of a brief two-game homestand when the club hosts Southeast Division rival Charlotte.

The Hawks were routed by Philadelphia on Tuesday when Lou Williams scored 20 points in his return to his hometown as Philadelphia thumped Atlanta, 117-83, at Philips Arena.

Josh Smith totaled 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds while Marvin Williams provided 10 points and 10 caroms for the Hawks, who had a three-game win streak halted.

"I wish we could have gotten off to a better start," said All-Star Joe Johnson, who scored a season-low six points on 3-of-8 shooting. "This team has given us problems for the past couple years. As long as I can remember, every time they come in this building they always jump out to a quick, early lead on us. Unfortunately, tonight, we never bounced back or regrouped."

Atlanta All-Star center Al Horford missed his second straight game against the Sixers with back soreness suffered in a Feb. 4 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Horford practiced Friday for the first time since the injury but his status remains unclear.

"It's a big difference (playing without Horford)," Williams told the Hawks' website. "I think we've seen that on Tuesday. What Al brings to the table, you can't really replace it. He is one of those players that really impact the game and to not have him out there on the floor is tough sometimes."

The Bobcats, who have lost seven straight in Atlanta, dropped their second straight game to New Jersey in the Queen City on Friday when Brook Lopez finished with a game-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Nets held off a late Charlotte run to top the Bobcats, 94-89.

Stephen Jackson paced Charlotte, which is now two games behind Indiana for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff slot, with 21 points. Gerald Wallace added 20 points and nine rebounds while Gerald Henderson and Shaun Livingston scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Charlotte, which has lost four out of five overall.

"We didn't have any energy or fight," Wallace said. "We didn't put forth the effort. New Jersey came in and punched us in the mouth and put us in the corner."

The Bobcats haven't won in Dixie since Jan. 19, 2007.