MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Josh Smith had 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Atlanta Hawks built an early lead and beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-99.
Atlanta led by 38 in the third quarter and seemed to be coasting to the victory. However, Memphis opened the fourth with 13 consecutive points, part of a 23-4 run that made the game more interesting, and forced Atlanta to put its starters back in the game.
Fans who had booed the Grizzlies earlier in the half suddenly were on their feet at least those who hadn't given up and headed home as Memphis cut the lead to 12 midway through the period.
But the Hawks' advantage tonight was just too much to overcome.
Six Atlanta players finished in double figures as the Hawks won for the fourth time in five games and kept a solid hold on the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Al Horford and Joe Johnson scored 19 points apiece for Atlanta, and Mike Bibby had 17, Josh Childress 14 and Marvin Williams 12. Johnson also had eight assists and Bibby seven.
Smith shot 11-of-13 from the field, part of Atlanta's 56 percent effort on the night.
All five of the Hawks' starters had reached double figures by halftime. At that point, it appeared to be just a matter of Atlanta keeping its focus to finish the final two quarters.
From the opening tip, the Hawks' shooters had little resistance from the Memphis defenders. Atlanta was still shooting almost 70 percent from the field in the final minutes of the first half. The Hawks not only were scoring inside, but they were hitting 58 percent on 3-pointers while building the lead to as many as 29 before halftime.
The Hawks already had reached 100 points with 2:46 left in the third period and carried a 103-72 lead into the fourth.
Memphis outscored Atlanta 27-13 in the final period.
Saturday
May 3rd, 2025
6:55PM
