Apr 18, 2007, 2:15 GMT
Atlanta, GA - Josh Smith and Tyronn Lue each dropped in 25 points, as the Atlanta Hawks finished their season with a 118-102 win over the Indiana Pacers at Philips Arena.
Smith also posted 13 rebounds and four blocks and Lue dished out eight assists for the Hawks (30-52), who failed to make the postseason for the eighth straight year. Marvin Williams scored 23 points in a winning effort, and Shelden Williams posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards to help the Hawks avoid a season series sweep.
'We had fun out there today, kind of laughing, joking with each other,' Smith said. 'It felt real good to get a win in the last game of the season.'
Ike Diogu scored 20 off the bench and Danny Granger netted 15 for Indiana, which had its streak of reaching the postseason nine straight times come to an end when Orlando posted a victory over Boston on Sunday.
Jermaine O'Neal missed the game with a sore left knee.
The Pacers will wrap up their disappointing 2006-07 season on Wednesday versus the Washington Wizards within the friendly confines of Conseco Fieldhouse.
Atlanta jumped all over Indiana early, and built a 41-23 lead after one quarter of play. The key was a 13-2 burst that turned a two-point edge into a 22-9 advantage. Williams had five points in the surge, including a slam with 5:06 remaining in the stanza.
The Hawks offense continued their onslaught in the second, and established a season high for points in the half as the home team went into the locker room with a 76-55 lead.
'They scored way too many points in the first half,' Granger said.
Smith poured in 18 points over the first 24 minutes, while Williams was right behind him with 17.
The Pacers made some serious headway in the third, outscoring the Hawks 25-14 to trim the deficit to 90-80.
Indiana, though, never moved within single digits in the fourth. The Hawks kept the Pacers at arm's length in the early going of the quarter, then used a 10-2 burst in the latter stages to pull away.
Game Notes
Hawks head coach Mike Woodson returned after missing Monday night's contest against Milwaukee with food poisoning...The Pacers were just 13-28 on the road this season...All five of Atlanta's starters finished in double- digits...Lue sank a career-high 13 free throws...Indiana's David Harrison was ejected in the third after receiving a pair of technicals...The Pacers won the season series 3-1.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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