Hawks pound Nuggets

NBA: Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford team to lead 125-100 romp

The Associated Press | • Published November 08, 2009

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ATLANTA – Josh Smith had a night to remember – after one he and the rest of the Atlanta Hawks would like to forget.

Jamal Crawford scored 25 points, and Smith had 22 points, nine rebounds, six blocked shots and seven assists in the Hawks’ 125-100 victory over the Northwest Division-leading Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

Atlanta was coming off a 103-83 loss Friday to Charlotte.

“It’s a big statement. Having a letdown loss last night, and being able to come in and beat the number two or three team last year in the Western Conference. That’s a big boost of confidence,” Smith said.

“I had opportunities to succeed and I seized the moment. I have wonderful guys to pass the ball to and I was really looking to crash the boards.”

The Hawks had a season-high 125 points and 30 assists.

“It’s big, more mentally than anything else,” said Crawford, a former Rainier Beach standout. “We had tough loss against Charlotte last night, and we beat a tough Denver team. We didn’t lay down, and we fought. From start to finish, I thought we were really good as a team.”

The Hawks had seven players in double figures – including Bremerton’s Marvin Williams, who had 14.

The Hawks scored the first 10 points of the second half to make it 70-50. Denver never got closer than 12 points.