By Paul J. Weber, Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair both scored 17 points, and the San Antonio Spurs handed the surging Atlanta Hawks their first lopsided loss of the season, 105-83 on Wednesday night.

Tiago Splitter added 16 points for the Spurs, who relished a convincing win over the Southeast Division leaders after losing two of their previous three and barely squeaking past woeful New Orleans on Monday night.

Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 22 points. Kirk Hinrich made his season debut, after missing 18 games recovering from shoulder surgery, and scored seven points in 14 minutes.

Joe Johnson had just 10 points for Atlanta. The 22-point blowout was a rare embarrassment for the Hawks (13-6), who had won six of seven.

Atlanta’s few losses this season included a triple-overtime heartbreaker to LeBron James and Miami, and a two-point defeat to Derrick Rose and Chicago.

The Hawks got manhandled this time, largely by an underperforming outfit of San Antonio role players.

Tony Parker had 15 points, and Tim Duncan scored just six and grabbed 11 rebounds. San Antonio’s reserves outscored the Hawks bench players 51-27.

Johnson, who had averaged 23 points in Atlanta’s previous seven games, shot just 5 of 12 from the floor. Josh Smith added 13 points on 6 of 17 shooting.

The Spurs shot 51 percent from the floor, marking the first time this season that Atlanta has allowed an opponent to make more than half its shots.

The Spurs have been practically auditioning scorers without Manu Ginobili, who could miss at least another month because of a broken left hand. Parker has been the lone constant on offense, yet even the 29-year-old star entered the game shooting his lowest percentage (46 percent) in a half-decade.

He stumbled early against the Hawks and finished 5 of 13. The reserves picked up the slack.

Bonner, the 3-point gunner stumbling through a career-worst shooting slump, eclipsed double digits for only the third time this season and tied a season high with five 3s. Splitter, who scored a career-high 25 points in a weekend loss to Houston, was in double figures for the fifth straight game.

Even little-used rookie point guard Cory Joseph scored a season-best eight points in 19 minutes. The Spurs started the second quarter with the combination of Joseph, Splitter, Bonner, Gary Neal and Danny Green, who made for a surprising scoring unit that doubled San Antonio’s lead to 41-28 in a span of six minutes.

Green finished with 10 points.

The Spurs improved to 10-1 at home, but are 2-6 on the road. They have only three more home games before they spend much of February away because of an annual Rodeo Road Trip.

Notes: The Hawks haven’t beaten the Spurs on the road since Duncan entered the NBA in 1997.

SAN ANTONIO
– Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair both scored 17 points, and the San Antonio Spurs handed the surging Atlanta Hawks their first lopsided loss of the season, 105-83 on Wednesday night.

Tiago Splitter added 16 points for the Spurs, who relished a convincing win over the Southeast Division leaders after losing two of their previous three and barely squeaking past woeful New Orleans on Monday night.

Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 22 points. Kirk Hinrich made his season debut, after missing 18 games recovering from shoulder surgery, and scored seven points in 14 minutes.

Joe Johnson had just 10 points for Atlanta. The 22-point blowout was a rare embarrassment for the Hawks (13-6), who had won six of seven.

Atlanta’s few losses this season included a triple-overtime heartbreaker to LeBron James and Miami, and a two-point defeat to Derrick Rose and Chicago.

The Hawks got manhandled this time, largely by an underperforming outfit of San Antonio role players.

Tony Parker had 15 points, and Tim Duncan scored just six and grabbed 11 rebounds. San Antonio’s reserves outscored the Hawks bench players 51-27.

Johnson, who had averaged 23 points in Atlanta’s previous seven games, shot just 5 of 12 from the floor. Josh Smith added 13 points on 6 of 17 shooting.

The Spurs shot 51 percent from the floor, marking the first time this season that Atlanta has allowed an opponent to make more than half its shots.

The Spurs have been practically auditioning scorers without Manu Ginobili, who could miss at least another month because of a broken left hand. Parker has been the lone constant on offense, yet even the 29-year-old star entered the game shooting his lowest percentage (46 percent) in a half-decade.

He stumbled early against the Hawks and finished 5 of 13. The reserves picked up the slack.

Bonner, the 3-point gunner stumbling through a career-worst shooting slump, eclipsed double digits for only the third time this season and tied a season high with five 3s. Splitter, who scored a career-high 25 points in a weekend loss to Houston, was in double figures for the fifth straight game.

Even little-used rookie point guard Cory Joseph scored a season-best eight points in 19 minutes. The Spurs started the second quarter with the combination of Joseph, Splitter, Bonner, Gary Neal and Danny Green, who made for a surprising scoring unit that doubled San Antonio’s lead to 41-28 in a span of six minutes.

Green finished with 10 points.

The Spurs improved to 10-1 at home, but are 2-6 on the road. They have only three more home games before they spend much of February away because of an annual Rodeo Road Trip.

Notes: The Hawks haven’t beaten the Spurs on the road since Duncan entered the NBA in 1997.

SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair both scored 17 points, and
the San Antonio Spurs handed the surging Atlanta Hawks their first lopsided loss
of the season, 105-83 on Wednesday night.

Tiago Splitter added 16 points for the Spurs, who relished a convincing win
over the Southeast Division leaders after losing two of their previous three and
barely squeaking past woeful New Orleans on Monday night.

Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 22 points. Kirk Hinrich made his season debut,
after missing 18 games recovering from shoulder surgery, and scored seven points
in 14 minutes.

Joe Johnson had just 10 points for Atlanta. The 22-point blowout was a rare
embarrassment for the Hawks (13-6), who had won six of seven.

Atlanta’s few losses this season included a triple-overtime heartbreaker to
LeBron James and Miami, and a two-point defeat to Derrick Rose and Chicago.

The Hawks got manhandled this time, largely by an underperforming outfit of
San Antonio role players.

Tony Parker had 15 points, and Tim Duncan scored just six and grabbed 11
rebounds. San Antonio’s reserves outscored the Hawks bench players 51-27.

Johnson, who had averaged 23 points in Atlanta’s previous seven games, shot
just 5 of 12 from the floor. Josh Smith added 13 points on 6 of 17 shooting.

The Spurs shot 51 percent from the floor, marking the first time this season
that Atlanta has allowed an opponent to make more than half its shots.

The Spurs have been practically auditioning scorers without Manu Ginobili,
who could miss at least another month because of a broken left hand. Parker has
been the lone constant on offense, yet even the 29-year-old star entered the
game shooting his lowest percentage (46 percent) in a half-decade.

He stumbled early against the Hawks and finished 5 of 13. The reserves
picked up the slack.

Bonner, the 3-point gunner stumbling through a career-worst shooting slump,
eclipsed double digits for only the third time this season and tied a season
high with five 3s. Splitter, who scored a career-high 25 points in a weekend
loss to Houston, was in double figures for the fifth straight game.

Even little-used rookie point guard Cory Joseph scored a season-best eight
points in 19 minutes. The Spurs started the second quarter with the combination
of Joseph, Splitter, Bonner, Gary Neal and Danny Green, who made for a
surprising scoring unit that doubled San Antonio’s lead to 41-28 in a span of
six minutes.

Green finished with 10 points.

The Spurs improved to 10-1 at home, but are 2-6 on the road. They have only
three more home games before they spend much of February away because of an
annual Rodeo Road Trip.

Notes: The Hawks haven’t beaten the Spurs on the road since Duncan entered
the NBA in 1997.

The Atlanta Hawks are doing all they can to bring an NBA championship to Atlanta this season. Don’t expect the likes of Joe Johnson and Josh Smith give up. With a strong February, the Hawks can further solidify their spot in the playoffs for the big postseason push.

Check with your service provider for channel listings in your area. With NBA League Pass, Hawks’ fans across the nation can catch every game and witness every play.

Note: All start times Eastern

February 2012

Thu 2, Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. (SPSO)

Sat 4, Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m. (SPSO)

Mon 6, Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. (SPSO)

Wed 8, Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. (SPSO)

Fri 10, Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. (SPSO)

Sun 12, Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m. (SPSO, ESPN)

Tue 14, Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. (SPSO)

Wed 15, Atlanta Hawks at Phoenix Suns, 9 p.m. (SPSO)

Sat 18, Atlanta Hawks at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. (SPSO, NBATV)

Mon 20, Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls, 4 p.m. (SPSO, ESPN)

Wed 22, Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (SPSO)

Thu 23, Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. (SPSO)

Wed 29, Golden State Warriors at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. (SPSO)

Sources:

All data provided by NBA.com

Paul Rados is a Cleveland based freelance sportswriter and Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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MILWAUKEE – Joe Johnson scored 15 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, rallying the Atlanta Hawks to a 97-92 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.

Josh Smith had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Jeff Teague added 15 points in the opener of Atlanta’s five-game road trip.

Brandon Jennings had 21 points and 11 assists to lead Milwaukee, and Mike Dunleavy added 17 points. However, the Bucks had no answer for Johnson in the fourth.

He tied the score at 84 with a 19-foot jumper. After the Bucks failed to connect on their next two possessions, Johnson put Atlanta ahead with a tiebreaking five-footer.

Drew Gooden hit a 3-pointer from deep in the corner for Milwaukee to tie the score at 88, but Smith hit a 3 and Johnson made two free throws to push the Hawks ahead for good at 93-90 with 16.6 seconds left.

Johnson, who came in averaging 18.6 points, was 10 of 22 from the floor and 8 for 8 from the line. He had five rebounds and two steals.

Zaza Pachulia grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds for Atlanta.

Andrew Bogut had six points and 12 rebounds and Gooden added 13 points for Milwaukee, which hoped to build on the momentum of big victories on the road.

The Bucks, who started 0-8 away from home, won 100-86 at New York on Friday and then 91-82 at Miami on Sunday despite shooting 35.0 percent.

With the Bucks on the attack, Marvin Williams deflected a pass from Dunleavy and the Hawks came up with loose ball. Milwaukee fouled Smith with 9.7 seconds left. He made two free throws and after Jennings raced in for a driving layup for Milwaukee’s final points, Johnson made two free throws for the final margin.

Trailing 70-64 after three quarters, the Bucks opened the fourth with a 10-3 surge.

Dunleavy started it with an eight-foot jumper and then capped it with two free throws that gave Milwaukee the lead at 74-73 with 8:21 left. It was the 18th lead change in the game.

The Bucks recovered from shooting 9 of 23 (39 percent) in the first quarter with an 11-of-22 effort (55 percent) in the second to tie the score at 48 as the half ended.

Teague scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting for Atlanta, which shot 54.5 percent in the first quarter.

NOTES: Hawks G Kirk Hinrich has missed 17 games (left shoulder surgery), but made the trip. He has been practicing hard, according to coach Larry Drew, and may return to action during the road trip. … Oak Hill Academy (VA) was well represented at the game. Atlanta’s Josh Smith and Jerry Stackhouse and Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings and Stephen Jackson all graduated from there. … Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and his wife, Ellen, were in attendance.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Joe Johnson scored 15 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, rallying the Atlanta Hawks to a 97-92 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.

Josh Smith had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Jeff Teague added 15 points in the opener of Atlanta’s five-game road trip.

Brandon Jennings had 21 points and 11 assists to lead Milwaukee, and Mike Dunleavy added 17 points.

Johnson tied the score at 84 with a 19-foot jumper. After the Bucks failed to connect on their next two possessions, Johnson put Atlanta ahead with a tiebreaking five-footer.

Drew Gooden hit a 3-pointer from deep in the corner for Milwaukee to tie the score at 88, but Smith hit a 3 and Johnson made two free throws to push the Hawks ahead for good at 93-90 with 16.6 seconds left.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Joe Johnson scored 14 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, rallying the Atlanta Hawks to a 97-92 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.

Josh Smith had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Jeff Teague added 15 points in the opener of Atlanta’s five-game road trip.

Brandon Jennings had 21 points and 11 assists to lead Milwaukee, and Mike Dunleavy added 17 points. However, the Bucks had no answer for Johnson in the fourth.

He tied the score at 84 with a 19-foot jumper. After the Bucks failed to connect on their next two possessions, Johnson put Atlanta ahead with a tiebreaking five-footer.

Drew Gooden hit a 3-pointer from deep in the corner for Milwaukee to tie the score at 88, but Smith hit a 3 and Johnson made two free throws to push the Hawks ahead for good at 93-90 with 16.6 seconds left.

Johnson, who came in averaging 18.6 points, was 10 of 22 from the floor and 8 for 8 from the line. He had five rebounds and two steals.

Zaza Pachulia grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds for Atlanta.

Andrew Bogut had six points and 12 rebounds and Gooden added 13 points for Milwaukee, which hoped to build on the momentum of big victories on the road.

The Bucks, who started 0-8 away from home, won 100-86 at New York on Friday and then 91-82 at Miami on Sunday despite shooting 35.0 percent.

With the Bucks on the attack, Marvin Williams deflected a pass from Dunleavy and the Hawks came up with loose ball. Milwaukee fouled Smith with 9.7 seconds left. He made two free throws and after Jennings raced in for a driving layup for Milwaukee’s final points, Johnson made two free throws for the final margin.

Trailing 70-64 after three quarters, the Bucks opened the fourth with a 10-3 surge.

Dunleavy started it with an eight-foot jumper and then capped it with two free throws that gave Milwaukee the lead at 74-73 with 8:21 left. It was the 18th lead change in the game.

The Bucks recovered from shooting 9 of 23 (39 percent) in the first quarter with an 11-of-22 effort (55 percent) in the second to tie the score at 48 as the half ended.

Teague scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting for Atlanta, which shot 54.5 percent in the first quarter.

NOTES: Hawks G Kirk Hinrich has missed 17 games (left shoulder surgery), but made the trip. He has been practicing hard, according to coach Larry Drew, and may return to action during the road trip. … Oak Hill Academy (VA) was well represented at the game. Atlanta’s Josh Smith and Jerry Stackhouse and Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings and Stephen Jackson all graduated from there. … Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and his wife, Ellen, were in attendance.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More: Mike Dunleavy (F – MIL), Joe Johnson (G – ATL), Zaza Pachulia (C – ATL), Josh Smith (F – ATL), Drew Gooden (C – MIL), Brandon Jennings (G – MIL), Jeff Teague (G – ATL), Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks got their road trip off to a good start by pulling out a tough 97-92 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Atlanta trailed 83-79 with 3:19 remaining in the fourth before battling back behind nine straight points from Joe Johnson to take an 88-85 lead. Milwaukee tied the game on a Drew Gooden corner three to make the score 88-88 with 1:01 remaining in the game.

On the next possession, Milwaukee doubled Johnson on a drive who kicked out to Jeff Teague who found a wide open Josh Smith in the corner for a three that put the Hawks back in front for good 91-88. Johnson finished off the Bucks with six straight free throws down the stretch.

Johnson scored 24 of his game-high 28 points in the second half with 16 coming in the fourth quarter. Josh Smith finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds to go along with four assists and three blocks. Jeff Teague scored 11 of his 15 points in the first quarter and also had six boards and five assists. Zaza Pachulia started the game and played 38 minutes finishing with nine points and 14 rebounds.

Brandon Jennings led Milwaukee with 21 points and 11 assists on 9-22 shooting. Mike Dunleavy was hot for most of the night before cooling off in the fourth quarter to finish with 17. Drew Gooden added 13 and Ersan Ilyasove 10 for the Bucks.

For more on the Hawks go visit Peachtree Hoops and for all things on the Bucks go check out Brew Hoop. For more NBA basketball news and analysis be sure to check out SB Nation’s NBA Basketball page.

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 23 (UPI) — Josh Smith connected on a key 3-pointer in the final minute Monday and the Atlanta Hawks went on to record a 97-92 win over Milwaukee.

Smith’s basket with 41.9 seconds left gave Atlanta the lead for good after the two teams had battled for the advantage throughout a game that featured 19 lead changes.

Smith finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Joe Johnson scored a game-high 28 points for the Hawks.

The Bucks dropped their fourth game in six contests despite 21 points and 11 assists from Brandon Jennings.

Mike Dunleavy contributed 17 points for Milwaukee.