Mon Mar 31 22:46:40 2008

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Hawks tame Grizzlies for fourth straight win

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Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Josh Smith recorded 26 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals as the Atlanta Hawks used a huge first half to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, 116-99.

Joe Johnson and Al Horford each netted 19 points, as Atlanta extended its lead for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference to three games over the New Jersey Nets. Johnson also doled out eight assists, while Mike Bibby chipped in 17 points and seven assists in the Hawks' fourth straight victory.

Josh Childress and Marvin Williams also topped double-figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Rudy Gay paced Memphis with 29 points on 14-of-21 shooting from the field, while Kyle Lowry and Juan Carlos Navarro came off the bench to contribute 17 points apiece. Hakim Warrick also got involved with 11 points in the loss.

Warrick hit a layup for the first points of the game, but Memphis wouldn't connect on another field goal until the 6:51 mark of the opening stanza. The Hawks had their way on the offensive end, and their 17-2 run demoralized the home crowd.

The Hawks continued their dominance on both ends and took a 40-19 lead after one period.

Memphis got things going offensively in the second quarter, but the defense continually allowed easy baskets. By the end of the first half, all five Hawks starters were already in double figures and Atlanta led, 73-46, at the intermission.

The Hawks opened the half trying to drive the nail in the coffin early. A 13-4 run to begin the half opened up an already insurmountable lead, as Johnson followed the spurt with three three-pointers over the next four minutes. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, were running in place and trailed 103-72 after three quarters of play.

Memphis scored the first 13 points of the final frame, six consecutive by Gay, but the Grizz never got closer than 12 in the final six minutes of the game.

Game Notes

Atlanta is 10-27 on the road...Memphis is 13-24 at home this season...Memphis hosts the New York Knicks on Wednesday...The Hawks will host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday...Memphis committed 16 turnovers compared to the Hawks' 11...Atlanta shot 55.8 percent from the field, while the Grizzlies hit 53.9 percent....Atlanta drained 20-of-21 from the free-throw line, and Memphis hit just 9-of-19 at the stripe.