Johnson gets some help in rally to victory

[DrReality]

HAWKS 101, PACERS 87: Johnson gets some help in rally to victory

By Sekou Smith

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Saturday, March 14, 2009

As long as Joe Johnson keeps playing like this, the Hawks should have no problem taking care of their home court.

The Hawks’ captain and All-Star turned in his third consecutive 30-point game, and the Hawks rallied from a 13-point deficit to turn back the Indiana Pacers 101-87 for their fourth consecutive victory at home and overall.

Johnson led the Hawks with 30 points on 12-for-23 shooting and added six assist and four rebounds.

He scored 30 in a win over New Orleans on Monday and 31 in a win over Utah on Wednesday, each victory snapping long winning streaks for the Hornets and the Jazz.

Johnson didn’t have to do it all by himself Friday —- all five Hawks starters scored in double figures.

Al Horford was a monster on both ends, finishing with 17 points and 15 rebounds, his second consecutive double-double.

Mo Evans added 15 points, 10 during the Hawks’ crucial third-quarter rally. The Hawks are 11-1 with Evans in the starting lineup.

He started the Hawks’ past three games with Marvin Williams out indefinitely with a lower back injury.

Mike Bibby finished with 13 points, six assists and six rebounds, and Josh Smith 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.

The victory puts the Hawks in unique territory. They join Dallas as the only teams to surpass their previous season’s victory total for the fourth consecutive season.

The Hawks have gone from 13 victories in Mike Woodson’s first season to 26, 30, 37 and now 38 and counting.

The Mavericks won 19, 40, 53, 57 and 60 from the 1999-2000 season through the 2002-03 season.

With three games left on their home stand and 16 games left in the regular season, the Hawks have a chance to push their victory total well over those 37 from last season. They host Portland Sunday.