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Johnson's late lay-up helps Hawks soar over Pistons
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-08 16:50
NEW YORK, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Joe Johnson scored the game-winning lay-up with
7.5 seconds remaining to give the Atlanta Hawks a stunning 99-98 victory over
the Detroit Pistons at the Philips Arena on Tuesday.
Johnson's lay-up was part of a team-high 29 point effort, while Zaza Pachulia
added 16 points and Al Harrington chipped in 14 for the surging Hawks, who have
won four of their past five games.
With the defeat, Atlanta (15-32) handed the Pistons their second straight
loss for the first time this season.
Detroit (39-8) had two late chances to win but Richard Hamilton missed a
jumper in the dying seconds and the Pistons failed to get a shot off on their
final possession in the last second.
"They made the plays, we didn't" Detroit coach Flip Sanders told reporters
after the game.
"We're not playing with that zip, that sense of urgency."
Tayshaun Prince had 29 points to lead the Pistons, who led 60-57 after the
first half and shot 63.2 percent from the field.
But the Hawks stayed close to the Pistons all night and trailed by 81-77
after three quarters before finally taking the lead with 5:55 to go on a basket
by Johnson.
That was Atlanta's first lead of the game since the opening basket and the
teams traded the lead several times down the stretch.
"We have had a lot of close games that we just didn't make plays down the
stretch, but we refused to lose tonight," Hawks coach Mike Woodson told
reporters.
Chauncey Billups added 20 points and seven assists for the Pistons, while
Richard Hamilton scored 16.
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