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Johnson, Hawks hope to stay hot vs. reeling Bucks

Mar 27, 2012 - 2:35 PM (Sports Network) - Joe Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks will shoot for a season- high fifth straight win when they visit a desperate Milwaukee Bucks team fighting for its playoff life.

Johnson, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, has played a key role in the Hawks' four-game winning streak with game-tying three-pointers against Cleveland on March 21 and Utah on March 25, in addition to a game- winning three-pointer at Washington on March 24. Johnson finished last week with averages of 23.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Most recently the All-Star scored eight of his 37 points in the fourth overtime on Sunday as the Hawks finally finished off the Jazz, 139-133.

Josh Smith added 22 points before fouling out, Zaza Pachulia had 15 points and a career-high 20 rebounds and Jeff Teague scored 18 in Atlanta's first four- overtime game since 1982. It was the longest NBA game in 15 years, since Phoenix and Portland went four overtimes on Nov. 14, 1997 and the Hawks' third game in as many nights.

Both teams missed chances to win in regulation, then again and again and again at the end of the first three overtime periods until Atlanta, behind Johnson, finally took control for good.

Johnson toiled more than 55 minutes and was 3-for-5 in the final overtime and played all 20 extra minutes, though he said it's not as exhausting as it probably looked.

"I know this was our third in a row," he said, "but winning cures everything."

It marked the first time the Hawks went four OTs since beating Seattle on Feb. 19, 1982, and the first time it ever happened in Atlanta.

"Man, it would happen on the third game, too," said Smith. "It just shows the resiliency and toughness of this ball club, to be able to push through that many overtimes and come out victorious. It was a special win. I think we'll probably appreciate this more so than any other win during the season thus far."

Atlanta, which is currently the sixth seed in the East, will try to improve on its 14-13 road record tonight.

The Bucks, meanwhile, are coming off their second consecutive big loss, a 89-80 setback to the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Monday.

Mike Dunleavy made five three-pointers and finished with 26 points to pace the Bucks, who fell 2 1/2 games behind the Knicks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Brandon Jennings had 15 on 6-of-22 shooting.

"I don't think either team played particularly well," said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. "Not high-level, quality basketball from both teams but somebody had to win."

Atlanta has won three straight and four of five over Milwaukee.