Hawks fall behind early in loss to Spurs

By Bud L. Ellis

The early hole was too deep to dig out of for the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night.

Down 15 after one quarter, down 22 at the half, the Hawks tried to make a game of it in the final two quarters at San Antonio but ran out of steam and time, falling 105-90 to finish a two-stop Texas road swing at 1-1.

Two nights after displaying plenty of energy and punch in a victory at Houston, the Hawks lacked the same fire and determination. The loss, just the third in the past 11 games for Atlanta, keeps the Hawks behind Boston in third place in the Eastern Conference.

Boston comes to Philips Arena Friday night. The Hawks are 3-0 against the Celtics this season.

Wednesday, Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford shouldered the offensive load for Atlanta. Johnson went for 31 points on 15-of-26 shooting. Crawford added 25 points on 10-for-19 shooting, including three 3-pointers.

Josh Smith scored 14 and Marvin Williams added 10, but the Hawks shot 39 percent as a team. Smith pulled down 16 rebounds.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 7:10 am by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, National Basketball Association, Philips Arena, San Antonio Spurs