Things getting better for the Hawks

The Hawks lost to the Nuggets earlier in the season and has lost three straight in this series. Denver, though, has struggled mightily in Atlanta, where they have won just once in its last 15 visits.

On Friday, Joe Johnson tied a career-high with 36 points to lead Atlanta over the New York Knicks, 122-111. Al Harrington added a season-high tying 35 points for the Hawks, who have won three of their last four contests after starting the season with just two wins in 18 outings.

Johnson connected on all but one of his seven three-point attempts and had five assists and four rebounds, while Harrington finished 6-for-6 from beyond the arc in the win. The two combined to hit 27-of-37 field-goal attempts as the Hawks shot an NBA season-high 63.2 percent from the field.

Josh Childress and Marvin Williams came off the bench to combine for 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, and Zaza Pachulia grabbed 11 rebounds and had nine points.

Atlanta, which will head to Miami on Tuesday, is 3-6 in its arena this season.