ATLANTA, Feb. 6 Joe Johnson hit four free throws in the last 23 seconds Wednesday, lifting Atlanta to a 98-95 decision over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Johnson scored 28 points and Josh Smith added 17 to help the Hawks win their third straight game. Al Horford had a career-best 20 rebounds to go with his 15 points.
The Lakers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped, got 19 points from Lamar Odom and 17 from Derek Fisher. Kobe Bryant made only four of 16 shots and scored 11 points while newly acquired center Paul Gasol made just five of 14 for 12 points.
After Johnson put the Hawks in front by two with a pair of free throws, Bryant was called for a backcourt violation with eight seconds to play.
Smith then went to the line, but made only one of two, after which Sasha Vujacic scored on a layup with 3.7 seconds left to get the Lakers within 96-95. But Johnson made two more foul shots, after which Fisher missed a desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Copyright 2008 by UPI
