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Hawks look to claim rare winning record

Dec 19, 2007 - 2:53 PM Miami (7-17) at Atlanta (12-12) 7:00 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) - It has been nearly a decade since the Atlanta Hawks have been competitive this late into the season.

The Hawks welcome the Miami Heat into Phillips Arena on Wednesday, looking to secure a winning record for the first time since the opening game of the season.

Atlanta has not had winning record after 20 or more games since 1998-99 which is the last time it reached the postseason. To get to this point, the Hawks have won two straight games and five of their last seven, including a 116-111 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday.

Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 26 points while Josh Smith added 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots in the victory.

Miami has experienced a small measure of success as of late - winning three of its last five - but has not played at all like a team that won the NBA championship just two seasons ago. They shot a season-low 37.2 percent (29-for-78) from the field and had to hold on at the end to salvage a 91-87 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Heat have won two straight and six of their last seven road games against the Hawks. However, Atlanta downed Miami, 82-79, on November 21 in the teams' only meeting so far this season.