Red-hot shooting, led by Josh Smith’s season-high 34 points, helped the Hawks beat the Nets 116-101 Tuesday night in Atlanta.
The Hawks shot over 60 percent from the field and improved to 4-1 without its star, Joe Johnson, who will miss a month with an elbow injury.
Smith was 14-of-16 from the field (88 percent) and also added seven assists and two blocks. Jamal Crawford was 11-for-17 from the field and finished with a season-high 26 points, six assists and three steals. Al Horford registered a 10-for-18 shooting performance and recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds while dishing out six assists. Mike Bibby chipped in 11 points for the Hawks, who improved to 15-8 on the season.
Brook Lopez led the way for the Nets with 24 points. Devin Harris had a double-double with 18 points and 13 assists while adding three steals. Jordan Farmar had 16 points off the bench and Anthony Morrow added 10 for the Nets, who lost their eighth straight road game and fifth overall.