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Johnson scores 22 points in first half as Hawks cruise

Oct 12, 2006 - 3:32 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Joe Johnson lit up the nets in the first half.

Johnson scored 22 points - all in the opening half - and Josh Smith added 13 as the Atlanta Hawks cruised to an 108-91 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in a temper-filled preseason game.

Prior the contest ending, former Grizzlies Lorenzen Wright got into a shoving match with Kimani Ffriend and threw a punch at the 6-10 center late in the third quarter. Both were ejected.

Wright, who signed a contract with the Hawks during the offseason, spent the last five campaigns in Memphis.

Johnson made 8-of-12 shots and handed out five assists for Atlanta, which jumped out to a 60-40 advantage at intermission and never looked back.

First-round pick, Shelden Williams had 12 points and nine boards for the Hawks, who shot 50 percent (39-of-78) from the field.

Memphis first-round selections carried the offense, Rudy Gay scored 15 points and Kyle Lowry added 12. Alexander Johnson - a second-round pick - scored 13 points for the Grizzlies, who shot just 39 percent (27-of-70).