Johnson’s big game helps Hawks punctuate long road trip

Joe Johnson didn’t need much time to get started Tuesday night.

Johnson matched his season high with 30 points despite playing in only three quarters in Atlanta’s convincing 100-77 victory at Toronto.

“That’s the type of player he is,” Atlanta teammate Tracy McGrady told the Associated Press of Johnson, who made 13 of his 18 field-goal attempts. “Once he gets that feeling, he can run off 10 or 12 points in a hurry.”

The Hawks’ victory punctuated the most successful five-game road trip in more than four decades. After losing their opener against the Spurs last week, they notched victories at Milwaukee, Detroit, New Orleans and Toronto in the trip.

Johnson’s big game was a major reason why they were able to finish strongly Tuesday night.

STUDS

Atlanta G Joe Johnson: Torched the Raptors for 30 points and four assists and was a team-best plus-18 in the Hawks’ victory.

Indiana G Danny Granger: Produced 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and shared team honors at plus-13 in the Pacers’ victory over the Nets.  

Memphis F Rudy Gay: Rebounded from his struggles against the Spurs  to notch 20 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks and was a  game-best plus-15 in the Grizzlies’ overtime victory over the Nuggets.

Cleveland F Anderson Varejao: Notched 20 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Celtics. He became the fifth player in the league to accomplish the feat this season.

New Jersey G Deron Williams: Went for 34 points and seven assists in the Nets’ loss at the Pacers.

Sacramento G Tyreke Evans: Filled the stat sheet for 22 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block and was plus-3 in the Kings’ loss to the Warriors.

DUDS

Toronto G Leandro Barbosa: Went 2 for 8 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-11 in the Raptors’ loss to the Hawks.

Charlotte G Cory Higgins: Missed all six shots and was minus-16 in the Bobcats’ loss to the Lakers — their ninth straight defeat.

Denver C Timofey Mozgov: Missed all three shots, was minus-8 and had three turnovers in the Nuggets’ loss at the Grizzlies.  

Denver F Danilo Gallinari: The Nuggets’ leading scorer went 1 for 10 from the field with a turnover in their loss at the Grizzlies.

Golden State G Klay Thompson: The rookie struggled through a 2-for-10 shooting night, was minus-1 and scored only four points in the Warriors’ victory over the Kings.

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