Josh Smith, Hawks block Wizards 100-89

By CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer Oct 30, 11:21 pm EDT

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ATLANTA (AP)—Josh Smith(notes) had to wait almost an entire game for his 900th career blocked shot.

He made sure to cash in on the milestone play.

Smith scored 20 points and became the youngest player to block 900 shots, leading the Atlanta Hawks past Gilbert Arenas(notes) and the Washington Wizards, 100-89 on Friday night.

The 23-year-old Smith rejected a shot by Arenas with 4:26 remaining in the game to pass Shaquille O’Neal(notes) as the youngest with 900 blocks. O’Neal was 24 years old when he got there.

The block set up a fast break, capped by Smith’s left-handed dunk.

“It was special just to block the shot and then be able to finish the play with a perfect assist from Mike Bibby(notes),” Smith said.

Smith blocked another shot to cap a strong defensive effort by the Hawks.

“That’s impressive, to see somebody block that many shots,” said Atlanta’s Marvin Williams(notes). “He’s got it figured out. He should write a book or something.”

Coach Mike Woodson said the Hawks “made a serious effort on defense and rebounding the ball.”

Arenas had 23 points and Brendan Haywood(notes) added 19 for Washington.

Al Horford(notes) had 10 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for Atlanta.

Joe Johnson(notes) scored 17 points and Jamal Crawford(notes) added 16 for Atlanta, which took the lead for good late in the first quarter.

The Wizards lost forward Caron Butler(notes) to a bruised left knee in the second quarter.

“Nothing came up as far as X-rays, but we’ll know more tomorrow,” said Washington coach Flip Saunders, who added he didn’t know if Butler would be available for the team’s home opener against New Jersey on Saturday night.

Washington is already without forward Antawn Jamison(notes) (right shoulder injury).

A 3-pointer by Arenas capped a 12-0 run for a 12-4 Washington lead. The Wizards led 15-5 before the Hawks closed the opening period with a 15-4 run to lead 29-24.

“It was almost too easy,” Saunders said of the Wizards’ early lead. “Because what happened is, we were like ‘It’s going to be an easy one tonight.’ And then they put a little bit more pressure on and we turned the ball over, and then they made a quick run.

“They began to gain control of the game in the second quarter when they locked in defensively.”

The Hawks led by 15 in the third quarter, the last time at 65-50. Washington cut it to seven points early in the final period as Arenas made three straight baskets.

Atlanta answered with a 3-pointer by Williams before Smith’s block and jam pushed the lead to 93-78. The Wizards scored eight straight points before Smith answered with a three-point play.

“The biggest thing was they sustained our punch that we threw in the beginning and we didn’t sustain theirs,” said Washington’s Randy Foye(notes). “We kept fighting but we couldn’t get over the hump. They stayed with their stuff and they executed.”

Atlanta opened the second period with Crawford and other backups. Crawford had 11 points in the period, including a 3-pointer with 6:26 remaining to push the lead to 10 points for the first time at 43-33.

Bibby forced a turnover by Arenas with 2.7 seconds left in the half to set up a basket by Horford at the buzzer for a 58-44 halftime lead.

The halftime lead matched the Hawks’ 17-3 advantage in free throws made in the half. Atlanta made 17 of 19 free throws; Washington made 3 of 6.

“They got to the free throw line,” Arenas said. “That’s where the game was won.”

For the game, Atlanta outscored Washington 31-14 from the free throw line.

Notes: Smith’s 24th birthday is Dec. 5. … Team spokesman Brian Sereno confirmed Wizards G Javaris Crittenton(notes) had exploratory surgery on his left foot on Oct. 23. Crittenton is expected to miss another month with the strained tendon in the foot. … The Wizards on Friday exercised their contract options on G Nick Young(notes) and C JaVale McGee(notes) for the 2010-11 season. … The Hawks swept last season’s series with the Wizards 4-0.

Updated Oct 30, 11:21 pm EDT
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14 Comments

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  1. bobbyw
    14. Posted by bobbyw Sat Oct 31 2:18pm EDT

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    I"m glade to see the hawks playing that well its been a long time coming.
  2. tim s
    13. Posted by tim s Sat Oct 31 12:37pm EDT

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    Do u see what i see? Hawks have depth which means they can turn up the defense. Second unit looks good. Watch out for the hawks!
  3. The Judge
    12. Posted by The Judge Sat Oct 31 9:20am EDT

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    So I guess if it were up to you gurzinator you would just tell the Hawks fans to stay at home and not even go to the games right? You are a stupid a$$, and it's cynical people like you that fu*k up the whole world. Just do us all a favor and shove a gun down your throat and squeeze off. You worthless piece of crap.
  4. gurnzinator
    11. Posted by gurnzinator Sat Oct 31 1:56am EDT

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    its the 2nd game of the year and hawks fans are jizzing their pants. wizards smoked dallas, and dallas smoked the lake show. get back to me at the allstar break and let me know which city u'd rather have ur team play in
  5. <i>jbird77777</i>
    10. Posted by jbird77777 Sat Oct 31 1:32am EDT

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    Woodson regularly speaks of "rebounding the ball" and "scoring the ball". How are these different from "rebounding" and "scoring"?
  6. Abraham F
    9. Posted by Abraham F Fri Oct 30 11:53pm EDT

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    I'm not too sold on the Wizards. Sure Jamison and Butler are the core of the team, but you got Agent Zero coming back from major back-to-back surgeries. They should concentrate on just getting back to the playoffs, before they talk about even the fourth seed.
  7. Thomas A
    8. Posted by Thomas A Fri Oct 30 10:35pm EDT

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    U should wait until you put the Hawks in the elite until you see the final results of their next game.
  8. dru_33
    7. Posted by dru_33 Fri Oct 30 10:28pm EDT

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    Agent Zero and his Team Zero. The Wizards are on a five game losing streak to the Hawks. How and the H=LL are they going to be a #2 seed if they can't get past the Hawks? Go Hawks!
  9. Anonymous Hero
    6. Posted by Anonymous Hero Fri Oct 30 10:23pm EDT

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    Ricco, still talkin that BS after my Hawks spanked the sorry Wizards????? The Wizards have talent but the Hawks are a much better team....PERIOD!! Top 2 seed in the East???????????????????????????? I need you to give me a hit of that pipe you're smokin from becaus you are outside yo mind!!!!!!!!!!!!
  10. Hello H
    5. Posted by Hello H Fri Oct 30 6:26pm EDT

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    Mike Woodson runs the best Iso in the league!
  11. Ricco
    4. Posted by Ricco Fri Oct 30 5:02pm EDT

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    Wizards will be a top 2 seed in the East this year. Reasons #1 Healthy Arenas. #2 Flip Saunders #3 Brendan Haywood Healthy. #4 The breakout year of 7 footer Andray Blatche. #5 Deep bench via Mike Miller and Randy Foyle and Nick Young. This will be a continuous snowball effect, better and Better and Better until they can not be stopped. Funny how the so called experts can only see the past and not see the future. The Future of the east is the WIZARDS. FROM WORST TO FIRST. I CAN SEE THE FUTURE.
  12. CB 4
    3. Posted by CB 4 Fri Oct 30 2:13pm EDT

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    good to see Agent 0 back...but the Hawks win big in this one....Hawks are the newest to join the East Elite teams.....Cavs, Magic, Celtics, Hawks......next best Chicago
  13. Aswin Nukala
    2. Posted by Aswin Nukala Fri Oct 30 1:47pm EDT

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    Go wizardos!!
  14. HOOK
    1. Posted by HOOK Thu Oct 29 11:29pm EDT

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    It is a good chance to show that the Wizards are at least second best to the Magic in the division. Let's Go Wizards!!!
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Top Performers

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 Washington
B. Haywood Brendan Haywood
7-12,  19 Pts
9 Rebs, 0 Assists
 Atlanta
J. Smith Josh Smith
8-11,  20 Pts
8 Rebs, 2 Assists

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