SALT LAKE CITY, (Reuters) – Atlanta’s Joe Johnson produced a big-time performance in the fourth quarter to steer the Hawks to a 105-100 win over the injury-hit Jazz yesterday, their first victory in Utah since 1993.
The Hawks’ All-Star guard scored 11 of his game-high 28 points in the last quarter, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 2:28 remaining.
“I thought we were very composed tonight,” Johnson told reporters.
“In the fourth quarter when we did get down we were able to not get rattled and make a run of our own and kind of close the game out.”
Winners of 17 of their last 19 games entering the contest, Utah (36-20) played without starting point guard Deron Williams (bruised right quad) and forward Andrei Kirilenko (back) but managed to compete all the way in a tightly contested affair.
Paul Millsap had 14 points and nine rebounds to lead seven players in double-figures scoring for the Jazz, who led by six with under nine minutes to play.
After Johnson gave the Hawks (35-20) a two-point lead with his late three-pointer, he then sank a 15-foot shot to push the advantage to four with 37 seconds left and tacked on two free throws.
Josh Smith recorded 18 points and nine rebounds while Jamal Crawford put up 17 points off the bench for Atlanta which swept its season-series with the Jazz and snapped a 15-game losing streak in Utah.
In the process, the Hawks rebounded from a disappointing loss to the Golden State Warriors one night earlier when they squandered an 18-point lead in the second half.
The Jazz overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in a game Williams exited due to his leg injury before returning to lead the rally. With the All-Star unavailable against Atlanta, Utah put together a complete team effort.
Carlos Boozer recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds and reserve Kyle Korver had 13 but the Jazz missed a chance to tie the Denver Nuggets for first place in the Northwest Division.
“We can’t make excuses,” Millsap said. “(injuries) just gives other guys the opportunity to step up. For the most part we did a good job, but we just didn’t come out with the win.”
