Hawks primed for vacation

However, pride can take a toll on a team with a 20-42 record and losses in three straight games, but losing could work wonders in June.

Atlanta’s three losses to Chicago, Milwaukee and New York have come by a total of 10 points, while nine of its last 13 contests have been decided by five points or less.

In their last game on Wednesday against the Knicks, the Hawks suffered a 121-117 double-overtime loss.

Joe Johnson had 36 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Atlanta, which has dropped five of six and will open a brief two-game homestand versus Utah and Orlando.

Al Harrington added 28 points and Zaza Pachulia had a career-high 26 points for the Hawks, who are 13-18 at Philips Arena in 2005-06.

Atlanta is 10-5 when both Johnson and Harrington score 20 or more points.

If the Hawks keep this up for the rest of 2005-06, they could find themselves a solid sharp-shooter or even a slasher in this summer’s draft.

In other news, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hawks head coach Mike Woodson and forward Josh Smith were fined $20,000 and $15,000, respectively, for comments regarding game officials after Monday’s loss in Milwaukee.

Johnson leads the team in points (20.3) and assists (6.7).