Smith's triple-double leads Hawks over Bulls

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Josh Smith won't be an All-Star this season, but he gave more evidence Friday night that his time is coming.

As has become increasingly common this season, Smith did a little bit of everything for the Hawks, racking up his second career triple-double in the Hawks' 91-81 win over Chicago at Philips Arena.

"Phenomenal," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "Josh Smith has probably been our MVP. I just wish he would've made that All-Star team because he has played like an All-Star this year for us."

Smith tallied 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, getting his 10^th assist with 2:10 left in the fourth quarter on guard Mike Bibby's 3-pointer.

"It was big," Smith said. "It feels better getting a win."

The Hawks' affection for their power forward was obvious in their celebration. Guard Jamal Crawford raised his arms even before Bibby's shot went through the basket, and Zaza Pachulia and Mo Evans rushed to greet him coming off the court at the next timeout.

"I'm really happy for him," said Pachulia, who enticed Smith early on with a free dinner for his family at Pachulia's restaurant if he recorded the triple double. "It's not easy to achieve. Not everyone can do it."

At the game's start, Smith was determined to distribute the ball, repeatedly driving into the lane and whipping the ball to teammates on the wings and in the corners. He had eight assists by the half.

"It called for that," said Smith. "When I was driving, they were sinking in and guys were open."

The Hawks improved to 32-17 while Chicago dropped its third game in a row to fall to 23-25. The Hawks have taken two of three games from the Bulls this season. They're 21-5 at home.

As they did Wednesday night in their win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the Hawks stormed their opponent in the fourth quarter. After leading the entire first half, the Hawks fell behind the Bulls with a lackadaisical third quarter. The Hawks made just 6 of 21 shots while the Bulls torched the nets on 11-for-17 shooting. The Bulls won the quarter 24-14 and went into the fourth quarter ahead 70-64.

The Hawks turned it up on both ends in the fourth quarter, scoring the first eight points for a 72-70 lead. The Bulls never led after that, losing the quarter 27-11 and ultimately the game. The Hawks made 11 of 21 shots to the Bulls' 5 of 18 and outrebounded them 15-4.

"We played pretty well for three quarters and hung in there, digging and grinding it out," said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. "But in the fourth quarter, they just showed why they're one of the better teams in the league. They had offensive rebounding and made the plays when they had to."

"I think it's desperation, knowing that we've got to get stops because if we don't, the game is over," said Hawks guard Joe Johnson. "I think throughout the game, we kind of mosey along, knowing that we've still got a chance to win the game. Sooner or later, it may come back to haunt us, but we've got to try to get it together before we get in the postseason."

Johnson's 18 tied him for the team high with Smith. Crawford added 17 and played the finisher role again, scoring eight in the fourth quarter.