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April 11, 2010

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Home » Sports » Basketball

Hawks blast past Raptors for 50th win

Source: Agencies | April 11, 2010, Sunday | Print Edition

THE playoff-bound Atlanta Hawks reached the 50-win mark for the first time in 12 years when they beat the Toronto Raptors 107-101 on Friday.

Guard Jamal Crawford scored 16 of his 25 points in the Hawks' 45-point second quarter when Atlanta (50-29) roared to a 59-47 lead. The Hawks had not won 50 games in a season since 1997-98. "He came in and just took over," center Al Horford said of Crawford.

The loss was the fourth in a row for the Raptors, who are vying for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

"It's very satisfying, there's no doubt about it," Hawks coach Mike Woodson told reporters after the milestone win.

"My whole goal coming in here is to win an NBA title."

Chicago, tied with the Raptors for the final berth, could have broken the deadlock with a win over the lowly New Jersey Nets but lost in double overtime 116-127.

Elsewhere in the National Basketball Association, it was: Thunder 96, Suns 91; Mavericks 83, Trail Blazers 77; Pacers 116, Cavaliers 113; Grizzlies 107, Spurs 99; Jazz 114, Hornets 103; Magic 118, Knicks 103; Rockets 97, Bobcats 90; Wizards 106, Celtics 96; Lakers 97, Timberwolves 88; Bucks 95, 76ers 90; and Pistons 106, Heat 99.

The Raptors play at Chicago tomorrow with Toronto holding the tiebreaker edge should the two teams be tied at the end of the regular season next week.

"We know if we play this way, we have a good chance to win," Toronto point guard Jose Calderon said after the loss to the Hawks.

"It's not like (the Bulls) are the best team in the league."

The win was the 11th in a row in Atlanta for the Hawks, their longest home streak since the 1996-97 season.

However, the 50-win mark was more important, said guard Joe Johnson, who had missed the three previous games with a sprained right thumb.

"It feels great," said Johnson. "We've come so far from when I first got here."

Atlanta moved ahead of Boston into the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Amir Johnson had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Toronto.

In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 35 points and rookie reserve Serge Ibaka hit a crucial basket in the final minute, allowing the Thunder to stave off a late Suns rally.

The Thunder limited Phoenix to a season-low 34 points in the second half.

Ibaka ended up matching his career high with 15 points, and Jeff Green and Thabo Sefolosha also scored 15 for the Thunder.

Amare Stoudemire had 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead Phoenix, which took a step back in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
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