Cavaliers lose to Hawks, Johnson

Associated Press

ATLANTA

Joe Johnson’s first game with 20 points in almost a month helped the Atlanta Hawks recover from a sluggish start against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Johnson scored 23 points in his best game since his return from surgery on his right elbow to lead the Hawks past Antawn Jamison and the Cavaliers, 98-84 on Wednesday night.

Johnson missed nine games after the surgery and then struggled to regain his form in his first three games back in action. He returned to the form of the All-Star who has averaged more than 20 points in each of his first five seasons in Atlanta.

“Joe came back without any practices, and he finally found the stroke,” Atlanta’s Josh Smith said. “He played lights out tonight.”

Johnson reached 20 points for the first time since scoring 21 in a win over Washington on Nov. 25.

The Hawks, coming off an emotional home win over Orlando on Monday night, led by only three points at halftime.

“The tendency is to have a mental letdown,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said.

Led by Johnson, the Hawks pushed the lead to 13 points with a strong start in the second half.

Jamison had 23 points but the Hawks were stronger with their typically balanced attack in their eighth straight home victory.

Al Horford had 18 points, Marvin Williams added 17 and Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks. Mo Williams had 18 points and Daniel Gibson added 12 for Cleveland. The Cavaliers have lost 12 straight on the road and 12 of 13 overall.

Johnson hit consecutive 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter to push Atlanta’s lead to 13 points at 91-78.

“I could be 6-9 and you’re not going to stop those shots,” Gibson said. “Those were tough shots. He just got it going and got the separation they needed.”