As of Tuesday, January 17, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
Toronto Raptors forward Linas Kleiza (11) makes contact with Atlanta Hawks forward Ivan Johnson (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Tulis)
ATLANTA -- Josh Smith scored 28 points and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds and Joe Johnson added 27 points to help the Atlanta Hawks win their third straight game with a 93-84 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
Leandro Barbosa finished with 22 points in a reserve role for Toronto, which has lost five straight.
Toronto was without center Andrea Bargnani, the NBA's ninth-leading scorer, for the third straight game because of a strained left calf. Reserve guard James Johnson didn't play because of a sprained right ankle. The Raptors twice cut the lead to one late in the third quarter when Barbosa hit a pair of free throws and a runner, but Atlanta went on an 18-9 run that Jeff Teague ended with a free throw to make it 81-71 with 7:55 remaining.
Toronto never got closer than five after Ed Davis scored inside over Smith to make it 85-80 with 2:12 left.
Smith responded on the next possession by jumping from the right baseline and tipping in Johnson's missed runner to give the Hawks an 87-80 lead. Atlanta improved to 10-4 overall, 6-1 at home.
Jose Calderon had 13 points and 11 assists and Amir Johnson added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost seven of eight overall and dropped to 2-6 on the road.
Teague gave Atlanta its biggest lead at 13 when his short, floating jumper made it 43-30 at the 3:55 mark of the second. The Hawks never trailed after Smith's layup made it 13-11 at the 6:35 mark of the first.
Notes: Davis had 11 rebounds. ... Johnson and Teague each had six assists. ... Hawks G Tracy McGrady finished with no points and three assists in 8 minutes after missing the past three games with back spasms.
... Atlanta has won five straight over the Raptors and seven in a row at home.
More like this story
- Johnson drops 30 on Raptors as Hawks roll ( January 31, 2012 )
- Bosh hits winner for Raptors to beat Hawks by one ( March 17, 2010 )
- Smith, Horford lead Hawks past Raptors 93-92 ( January 30, 2013 )
- Smith scores 30 as Hawks hold off Nets ( March 23, 2012 )
- Hawks rebound with revenge win over Raptors ( April 16, 2012 )


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