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Johnson, Hawks play host to struggling Knicks

Dec 5, 2008 - 11:26 AM NY Knicks (8-10) at Atlanta (11-6), 7:30pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Before heading out on a four-game road trip, the Atlanta Hawks on Friday will try to get one more victory at home - where they have been dominant.

The Hawks, who have dropped just one game on their home floor, host the reeling New York Knicks on Friday before beginning their road swing a night later in Dallas.

Atlanta has won four straight at Philips Arena, including Wednesday's 105-95 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies. Joe Johnson scored 26 and Mike Bibby added 20 and 10 assists to lead the way for the Hawks.

The Hawks were hot from the floor, connecting on 56 percent (40-of-71) of their field-goal attempts, including 10-of-24 from 3-point range. Most importantly, they welcomed the return of versatile forward Josh Smith, who had missed the previous 12 games with a high left ankle sprain.

He provided a spark in his return, collecting 14 points, six boards, five assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

"It's great to have him back," Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said after the game. "He's a big part of what we do. He makes his presence known defensively with his shot-blocking and his rebounding."

Smith and the Hawks will host a Knicks team that has dropped seven of their last nine - and has garnered national attention a lot more for what they're planning to do two summers from now in the free-agent market than anything they've done on the court.

They were wiped out by the high-powered Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, as LeBron James posted 21 points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals in just 28 minutes of a 118-82 blowout.