Johnson Leads Hawks Fourth Quarter Come Back; Beat Blazers In O/T 99-95

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

With 8:22 left in the fourth quarter Monday night the Portland Trail Blazers looked like they were on their way to a pretty easy win over the Atlanta Hawks as the Blazers led 72-62. Things did not end up working out that way however as Atlanta went on a 10-0 run tying the game at 72-72 when Joe Johnson drained a 23 foot trey with 6:13 left in the quarter. The fourth quarter would end with the two teams deadlocked at 85-85; but the Hawks would finish off their incredible comeback in overtime as they defeated Portland 99-95.

Joe Johnson thrilled the crowd at Phillips Arena in Atlanta with a game high 35 points. The victory gives Atlanta a share of the best record in the Association at 9-2 as they are tied with the surprising Phoenix Suns. Josh Smith, Al Horford and Mike Bibby all game up big for the Hawks as they came back from what seemed like the edge of death to snatch the win.

Up until Atlanta’s late run in the fourth the Trail Blazers looked like they had this game won. The Blazers came out smoking in the first and would hold a 28-20 advantage at the end of the period. The Hawks were able to shave a little off the Portland lead however Atlanta still trailed as the game reached the half with the score 48-43.

Neither team was impressive offensively in the third however was down right miserable and Portland would head into the fourth on top 67-58. The Trail Blazers looked like they were ready to nail down the victory when the Hawks made their 10-0 run midway through the fourth quarter.

The lead would volley back and forth between the two opponents however Johnson looked like he was going to clinch the win in regulation for Atlanta when he hit two at the line with just four seconds to play giving his team an 85-82 lead. Rudy Fernandez though decided he wanted to play a little longer and knocked down a trey at the buzzer to send the game to the extra period knotted up at 85-85. The Hawks would open up the overtime on a 12-4 run and Portland never recovered.

Joe Johnson scored 35 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal while Josh Smith recorded a double-double with 20 points, 16 boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Al Horford also had a double-double as he had 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal while Mike Bibby added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Rudy Fernandez came off the bench to lead the Blazers as the second year player had 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. LaMarcus Aldridge would put up 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal while Brandon Roy added 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Andre Miller would score 14 points and center Greg Oden would add 11 more in the Blazers loss. Atlanta with a record of 9-2 will host the Miami Heat Wednesday while Portland now 8-4 will play host to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

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One Response to “Johnson Leads Hawks Fourth Quarter Come Back; Beat Blazers In O/T 99-95”

anon on November 17th, 2009 12:19 am

The only reason the Hawks won this game was shoddy ref work. How can you blow a jump ball call that results in a 3 for atlanta? how can you call a loose ball foul on Oden when neither player was actually going to affect the board? the refs this year are blowing games.

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