Smith leads Atlanta over Washington

Joe Johnson posted 20 points and seven assists and Zaza Pachulia totaled 16 points and eight boards for the Hawks, who have won two straight games. Josh Childress finished with 12 points in the contest.

Gilbert Arenas had a game-high 41 points and also dished out seven assists and Antawn Jamison contributed 24 points and seven rebounds for the Wizards, who were playing without Caron Butler (sprained thumb) and Antonio Daniels (sprained wrist). Brendan Haywood registered a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards in the loss, Washington’s first in its last three games.

Washington has a 2 1/2 game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, who are currently playing the Memphis Grizzlies, for the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Arenas’ layup gave the Wizards a 15-8 lead, but the Hawks came back with a 10-3 run, capped by Smith’s basket, to tie the game at 18. Washington led 32-28 after 12 minutes of play.

Atlanta opened up the second quarter with a 16-7 surge, highlighted by three- point plays from Pachulia and Johnson, to take a 44-39 advantage. However, the Wizards countered with a 10-4 burst, including five points from Haywood, to move in front 49-48. The lead was short-lived as the Hawks led 55-53 at the break.

Jamison’s layup tied the game at 61, but Atlanta reeled off an 11-3 spurt, showcased by Al Harrington’s tip-in, for a 72-63 margin. Washington responded with an 8-2 rally, including a pair of threes from Arenas to pull within 74-71.

A pair of Arenas free throws with four ticks remaining in the third period cut the deficit to 80-75 heading into the final frame.

Jamison’s jumper pulled the Wizards within five, 86-81, but the Hawks came back with a 9-2 run, highlighted by Smith’s trey, for a 95-83 margin with five minutes to play.

Arenas’ four-point play broke up the streak but the Wizards didn’t get any closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Washington had won the previous eight meetings...Arenas has scored 40 or more in 10 games this year...Atlanta shot 49 percent from the field, while Washington connected on 39 percent of its shots...The Hawks bench outscored the Wizards reserves, 43-22...Harrington finished with 10 points...The Hawks had seven blocked shots.