Pachulia’s career night leads Hawks over Wizards

Playing without starter Joe Johnson due to a calf injury and key contributor Marvin Williams because of a back ailment, Atlanta got output from an unlikely source. Anthony Johnson scored 19 points for the Hawks, who ended a six-game losing streak.

Josh Smith and Salim Stoudamire tallied 13 points each for Atlanta, which began a four-game homestand by ending a two-game slide at Philips Arena.

Gilbert Arenas had 28 points to lead Washington, which had a three-game win streak halted. Antawn Jamison had 22 points for the Wizards, who struggled to get a key road win.

With the game tied at 67 late in the third quarter, Johnson hit a pair of free throws to start a 6-0 surge that gave the Hawks the lead for good. Solomon Jones’ bucket sent the Hawks into the fourth with a 71-67 edge and his two free throws in the early stages of the final quarter extended the lead to 73-67.

Washington later drew within 77-76 after a pair of Antonio Daniels free throws, but Atlanta answered with a 9-2 run to take control. Stoudamire’s bucket with a little less than six minutes left ended the run for an 86-78 cushion.

The lead later reached 11 points following two Johnson free throws, 94-83. However, poor free throw shooting down the stretch allowed Washington to get within 96-93, but with 10 seconds left Tyronn Lue hit two free throws to ice the game.

Caron Butler had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Washington, which led 31-21 after one quarter and went into halftime ahead 52-44.

The Wizards led 60-50 in the third, but the Hawks used a 13-2 run to take the lead. Johnson’s three-pointer capped the surge for a 63-62 edge, giving Atlanta is first lead since early in the opening quarter.

Game Notes

Atlanta improved to 11-18 at home...Washington fell to 10-18 on the road...Atlanta ended a two-game slide to the Wizards, who lead the season series 2-1...The Hawks beat the Wizards for just the second time in 12 games.