Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Hawks 104, Pacers 94
ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks found themselves in a familiar position early in the third quarter. Then came the unusual part -- the Hawks didn't fold. In fact, they won the game. Joe Johnson scored 28 points, Tyronn Lue provided an unlikely spark off the bench and the Hawks rallied in the second half. The Hawks trailed 56-48 at halftime, and the Pacers twice stretched the lead to 11 in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Considering the Hawks have the worst record in the league and were coming off two blowout losses at home, another defeat seemed likely. But Atlanta surged in front before the period was over. Lue helped turn things around after missing four games with a sore back. The Hawks were down 61-50 when the diminutive guard checked in off the bench to key a 16-5 run. Lue made a 3-pointer, hit a couple of free throws and came up with a steal that set up Al Harrington's dunk. Lue had 15 points and seven assists. Stephen Jackson had 21 points, but Indiana didn't play much defense against the Hawks, who shot nearly 56 percent (40-of-72) from the field. Atlanta also took advantage of the Pacers' sloppy play at the offensive end, scoring 24 points off 18 turnovers.
Celtics 91, Hornets 78
BOSTON -- Ricky Davis scored 17 of his 32 points in the third quarter to help the Celtics. Raef LaFrentz added 18 points and Paul Pierce had 16 and nine rebounds for the Celtics, who have won six of their last eight home games. David West led the Hornets with 21 points, 19 coming in the first half. J.R. Smith added 16 points and was the only other New Orleans player in double figures.
Rockets 97, Bucks 80
MILWAUKEE -- Tracy McGrady scored 41 points, including 14 straight in the fourth quarter, to lead Houston. Andrew Bogut, who finished with 10 points for the Bucks, hit a short basket to make it 76-75 just over a minute into the fourth before McGrady took over with his personal 14-0 run. McGrady hit a pair of 3-pointers, a driving 10-footer, a turnaround fadeaway and two jump shots to give the Rockets a 90-75 lead with 5:21 left. Michael Redd scored 21 points to lead Milwaukee.
Associated Press