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Nets try to keep momentum going, host Atlanta

Jan 6, 2014 - 3:41 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Brooklyn Nets will try to earn their second three- game winning streak of the season on Monday night when they host the Atlanta Hawks at the Barclays Center.

The Nets picked up an impressive road victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, then followed that up with an 89-82 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.

Deron Williams scored 21 points and the Nets overcame a two-point effort from Joe Johnson to beat Cleveland.

Paul Pierce added 17 points and passed Allen Iverson for 19th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Andray Blatche totaled 12 points and Reggie Evans, starting in place of a resting Kevin Garnett, pulled down 11 rebounds to go with eight points.

Johnson, who hit the game-winning jumper in a 95-93 decision at Oklahoma City, shot just 1-of-7 from the field and missed all five of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Despite Johnson's struggles, the Nets posted their second straight win after going 1-6 to end December.

"I think we've decided to use the New Year to try and turn things around," Pierce said.

The Nets play two more at home before hitting the road for three straight.

The Hawks have lost two straight, one at home and one on the road. They play four of the next six at home, but the Hawks are the visitors on Monday, a position that has yielded losses in three of their last five.

On Saturday, the Hawks fell in Chicago, 91-84, thanks to a big first quarter for the Bulls. They took the first 12 minutes by eight, then hung on the rest of the way.

"It was a defensive battle. Both teams competed defensively," said Atlanta head coach Mike Budenholzer. "It was a close game. We have to be a little bit smarter down the stretch."

Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague led the Hawks with 16 points each but shot just 12-of-34 combined. Mike Scott had 12 off the bench and Kyle Korver made a pair of 3-pointers to extend his record streak of consecutive games with a triple to 103.

Atlanta fell to 2-3 without All-Star center Al Horford, who is out for the season with a torn right pectoral.

The Hawks and Nets split last season's four matchups, but the Hawks have taken seven of the last nine meetings. Atlanta has won three of the last four as the visitor in this series.