MILWAUKEE — John Salmons scored 32 points, including the tiebreaking free throws with 21.8 seconds remaining, to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a come-from-behind 98-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
In a matchup of possible first-round playoff opponents, Salmons and Hawks All-Star Joe Johnson went back and forth down the stretch until the Milwaukee guard, who scored 16 in the fourth quarter, pulled it out.
Carlos Delfino added 23 points for the Bucks. Johnson scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. Jamal Crawford had 21.
Salmons, whom Milwaukee acquired from the Chicago Bulls in February, scored nine straight points midway through the final quarter, including a jumper that gave the Bucks an 89-86 lead with 6:50 left.
The Hawks fought back to tie it at 93 when Johnson hit a jumper with 2 minutes remaining. After a shot clock violation against the Bucks, Johnson hit a step back jumper near the top of the key over Salmons to give the Hawks a 95-93 lead. Salmons was fouled on a drive to the basket and hit two free throws to tie it at 95.
Johnson missed a shot with 45 seconds remaining. Luke Ridnour then missed, but grabbed his own rebound. Salmons was fouled by Johnson and hit both free throws to give the Bucks a 97-95 lead.
Johnson held the ball for the last shot, but missed as he drove the lane.
In a matchup of possible first-round playoff opponents, Salmons and Hawks All-Star Joe Johnson went back and forth down the stretch until the Milwaukee guard, who scored 16 in the fourth quarter, pulled it out.
Carlos Delfino added 23 points for the Bucks. Johnson scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. Jamal Crawford had 21.
Salmons, whom Milwaukee acquired from the Chicago Bulls in February, scored nine straight points midway through the final quarter, including a jumper that gave the Bucks an 89-86 lead with 6:50 left.
The Hawks fought back to tie it at 93 when Johnson hit a jumper with 2 minutes remaining. After a shot clock violation against the Bucks, Johnson hit a step back jumper near the top of the key over Salmons to give the Hawks a 95-93 lead. Salmons was fouled on a drive to the basket and hit two free throws to tie it at 95.
Johnson missed a shot with 45 seconds remaining. Luke Ridnour then missed, but grabbed his own rebound. Salmons was fouled by Johnson and hit both free throws to give the Bucks a 97-95 lead.
Johnson held the ball for the last shot, but missed as he drove the lane.