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Smith's season-high 27 lead Hawks over Minnesota
Hawks
Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith, left, is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves' Ryan Hollins while driving to the basket in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 98-92. - photo by The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Josh Smith scored a season-high 27 points, Joe Johnson added 21 and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-92 on Wednesday night.

Al Horford finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks, who have won nine of 11 at home to improve to 22-6 at Philips Arena.

Despite 19 points and 12 rebounds from Kevin Love, Minnesota remained stuck with five road wins, tied with Sacramento for third-fewest in the league.

Atlanta, which won Monday in Utah for the first time since 1993, took its biggest lead at 16 on Maurice Evans' three-point play late in the third.

Ryan Hollins added 18 points for the Timberwolves, who have dropped seven of eight, and Ryan Gomes finished with 11.

The Timberwolves had hoped to win on the road for the second time in two nights, and they closed within two when Damien Wilkins' three-point play made it 78-76 with 10:14 remaining.

But nearly two minutes later, Smith took Horford's tip rebound on the right side and converted a three-point play to make it 85-80.

The Hawks have won seven straight over Minnesota to improve to 15-5 at home in the series.

Atlanta sixth man Jamal Crawford missed all seven of his field-goal attempts, including four 3-pointers.

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NOTES: The start of Atlanta's game Friday against Dallas has been moved from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate television. ... Smith's previous high this season was 24 in a Jan. 1 home loss to New York. ... Early in the second, Timberwolves G Wayne Ellington was called for a flagrant foul on Atlanta rookie G Jeff Teague. Teague hit the ensuing two free throws to give the Hawks a 25-21 lead. ... Horford took his usual rest early in the fourth, but he didn't leave the game late in third despite hitting the back of his head on the backboard and falling backward to the floor. He was fouling Hollins on the play.