ATLANTA – Joe Johnson scored 23 points in his best game since his return from elbow surgery to lead the Atlanta Hawks past Antawn Jamison and the Cleveland Cavaliers, 98-84 on Wednesday night.
Jamison had 23 points but the Hawks were stronger with their typically balanced attack in their eighth straight home victory.
Al Horford had 18 points, Marvin Williams added 17 and Josh Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks. Mo Williams had 18 points and Daniel Gibson added 12 for Cleveland. The Cavaliers have lost 12 straight on the road and 12 of 13 overall.
Johnson hit consecutive 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter to push Atlanta's lead to 13 points at 91-78.
Johnson reached 20 points for the first time in his fourth game back in the lineup. He missed nine games recovering from surgery on his right elbow.
Johnson was initially expected to be out four to six weeks, but he returned less than three weeks after the procedure to remove loose cartilage in his shooting elbow.
The Hawks had a combined 15 points off the bench from Maurice Evans and Jeff Teague.
NOTES: Cleveland's last road win came was Nov. 9 at New Jersey. ... Hawks G Jamal Crawford missed his fifth straight game because of back spasms. He said he plans to join the Hawks on their trip to New Orleans and Milwaukee, but he still has obvious stiffness in his back. ... Cavaliers F Leon Powe (finger abrasion) was in uniform but did not play.
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