Hawks use 20-4 run to crush Bulls  118-83

[December 10, 2009]  ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 29 points and the Atlanta Hawks opened the second half with a 20-4 run and beat the Chicago Bulls 118-83 on Wednesday night.

The Bulls, who have lost five straight and nine of 10, remained close only in the first period. Atlanta pushed its lead to double digits for good on a jam by Josh Smith with 5:17 remaining in the first half.

Smith had 18 points, including an alley-oop jam to cap the decisive 20-4 run and push the lead to 30 points at 76-46 with 3:35 remaining in the third period.

Derrick Rose led Chicago with 19 points. James Johnson had 17 -- all in the final period -- and John Salmons added 16.

Maurice Evans had 18 points as Atlanta's reserves scored 66 points. Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams each had 12 points.

The Hawks have won two straight for the first time since a seven-game winning streak from Nov. 7-20.

Hawks backup forward Joe Smith dislocated his left thumb on a blocked shot less than a minute into the fourth period. He was escorted to the locker room.

Smith had two blocks on the possession, first rejecting Kirk Hinrich's shot against the backboard before sustaining the injury while stopping Joakim Noah's attempt.

There was no immediate update on Smith's status.

The Hawks led 56-42 at halftime before outscoring the Bulls 31-15 in the third period.

Taj Gibson, who had 11 points, was Chicago's only reserve to score in the first three periods. Each team played backups through most of the fourth period.

NOTES: Hinrich returned after missing six games with a sprained left thumb. The guard had the thumb wrapped and struggled with his shooting. He missed each of his nine shots and was on the bench with ice on the thumb in the final minutes. ... Hawks C Jason Collins, playing in only his fifth game, hit a short jumper in the final minute for his first points of the season. He missed two free throws earlier in the final period.

[Associated Press; By CHARLES ODUM]

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