Hawks-Jazz: Streak-Busting Atlanta Foils Utah's Plans for 13 Straight Wins

Amazing! That’s the only word I can use to describe the outstanding 100-93 victory against the Utah Jazz.

The tale of the tape would have predicted a Utah blowout. The Jazz came into the game on a 12-game winning streak and the Atlanta Hawks were missing one of their key players in Marvin Williams.

Yet, as the Detroit Pistons found out last game, and the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in the year, the Hawks have a knack for beating streaks.

The first half could be considered the best the Hawks have played all year, as they led by 16 at one point. Mario West even got in the mix with a putback dunk that was worthy of ESPN's Top Plays.

However, the third quarter was one the Hawks might wish they could forget. The team came out lacking effort and efficiency, shooting 2-for-12 to begin the period.

Deron Williams was having his way, wheeling and dealing his way to 20 points and 9 assists on the night. Utah's aggressive play led to them getting the calls; they drew four team fouls on the Hawks in the first few minutes of the second half.

But after a bad opening to the second 24 minutes, the Hawks cranked up the defensive intensity. They kept it close, and came out of the third only down by two points.

For three quarters, Deron Williams was the man, but when it was crunchtime, Joe Johnson did what all Hawks fans have been waiting for him to do.

He played like the best player on the floor, which he was last night. He dropped 31 points and dished out nine assists.

Every time the Hawks needed a big bucket, there was "Joe Joe" making a hard drive to the cup or a nice jumper.

Flip Murray also stepped up in the fourth and delivered another fine performance for Hawks' fans. He scored 11 of his 16 in the final period.

Not to be left out, Josh Smith turned the quarter into a dunkfest as he slammed his way to his second-straight double-double with 22 points and 12 boards.

On the defensive end, Atlanta delivered a great team effort. Al Horford and Smith snagged boards and thwarted shot attempts on the way to the victory.

Finally, Hawks fans saw the team they witnessed in last season's Playoffs against Boston. They saw a team that looks as if it can make even more noise in this year's postseason and clearly warrants its No. 4 seeding.

As a Hawks fan, I hope to continue to see this type of performance. There are just 17 games left to be played in the regular season, and great teams choose right about now to turn on the switch.

It's nearly the Playoffs, Atlanta. Let's ride the momentum of this win right into them and have the success we so richly deserve.