Hawks Josh Smith wants to get back on court

BACK ON HIS FEET: Josh Smith is back on his feet after spending a week on crutches, the result of a left high ankle sprain he suffered in a Nov. 7 win over Toronto. Smith is wearing a walking boot now and eager to get back on the floor with his teammates after missing last week’s four-game road trip and Saturday’s game against New Jersey at Philips Arena.

“Watching those games on [television] was agonizing,” Smith said. “We played great and handled our business on the trip. We should have beaten Boston and New Jersey, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

There’s no clear-cut timetable for Smith’s return. He and Hawks coach Mike Woodson still he should be out two to four weeks, but Smith wants to return soon.

“I might to get some red clay and vinegar and make it happen,” he said laughing. “I just want to get out there and help my team out. That’s the only thing on my mind right now.”

The Hawks, losers of three straight after starting 6-0, could certainly use the boost.

NO ZAZA AGAIN: Zaza Pachulia joined Smith on the inactive list for Saturday night’s game against New Jersey with an injured left shoulder. Pachulia played against the Nets on Friday night in New Jersey but said his shoulder stiffened up on him overnight.

“I woke up [Saturday morning] and could barely move my arm,” said Pachulia, who missed the second half of Wednesday’s game over Boston after injuring the shoulder in the first half. “It was so sore. It swelled up on me, too. I think it was the flight [home from New Jersey] where I first started feeling uncomfortable.”

Seven-foot Nets rookie Brook Lopez worked the Hawks for 25 points and nine rebounds Friday night. Without Pachulia available, Woodson decided to go small and start Mo Evans in his place Saturday.

“We tried it the other way last night,” Woodson said. “We’ll see what it looks like with our smaller lineup tonight.”

A GAME OF SPURTS: Both teams made double-digit runs in the second quarter Saturday night.

The Nets made their run first, going on a 14-0 surge to take a 45-30 lead with 6:54 to play before halftime.

The Hawks responded with a 14-2 run of their own to close the gap to 47-44 with 2:16 to play.

Neither streak was as impressive as the one Vince Carter put on in the third quarter. He made five straight 3-pointers in the quarter and the Nets shot a staggering 8-for-8 from beyond the 3-point line.

— Sekou Smith