Hawks beat Jazz in NBA’s first 4-overtime game since 1997

joe johnson

Joe Johnson scored 37 points, Josh Smith added 22 and the Atlanta Hawks ended Utah’s six-game winning streak with a 139-133 victory Sunday night in the NBA’s first quadruple-overtime game since 1997.

The four overtimes tied for the third-longest game in NBA history. It was the ninth NBA game to go four OTs and the first since Phoenix beat Portland 140-139 on Nov. 14, 1997.

Al Jefferson finished with 28 points and 17 rebounds, and Paul Millsap had 25 points and 13 boards for the Jazz before both players fouled out in the final overtime…

With 16.9 seconds remaining in the fourth OT, Johnson’s 20-foot jumper over C.J. Miles gave the Hawks a 135-131 lead.

Jeff Teague, who had 18 points and nine assists, added a pair of free throws with 13 seconds to go to make it 137-133. Johnson’s two free throws sealed the victory with 5.5 seconds remaining.

Smith fouled out with 1:57 left in the first overtime.

Zaza Pachulia, who pulled down 20 rebounds, hit a short jumper in the final seconds of the second quarter that gave the Hawks a 17-point lead, their biggest of the game.

— Reported by George Henry of the Associated Press

Chicago Bulls are first NBA team to clinch 2012 playoff spot

Lucky? Maybe. Luol Deng’s timing was awful good, too. He grabbed a shot that had been blocked and put it in the basket just before the buzzer sounded Saturday night, rescuing the Chicago Bulls and giving them their NBA-leading 40th victory.

At 40-10, the Bulls clinched a playoff spot.

Teammate C.J. Watson drove for the basket but his shot was partially blocked by Toronto’s James Johnson and Deng was there for the winner. After officials reviewed the play to make sure Deng’s shot beat the buzzer, the Bulls had a 102-101 overtime victory on a night in which they were often outplayed by the 16-win Raptors.

“We’re lucky we had enough time to get the rebound,” Deng said. “When it left my hand it felt good because I saw the light after it left my hand. But then again, you never really know. We waited until they made the decision.”

Johnson, an ex-Bull, had 20 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots, part of another determined effort by the Raptors, who gave Chicago a scare three nights ago before losing.

“That’s what happens sometimes,” Johnson said.

“The ball happened to fall short after I blocked it and Luol Deng made a great play. We deserved to win tonight, but they made the game-winning play.”

Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls, Deng added 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Watson had 23 points.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Thunder recall Reggie Jackson from D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder has recalled guard Reggie Jackson from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jackson appeared in one game (one start) for the 66ers scoring 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in 41 minutes.

During the 2011-12 season, Jackson has appeared in 41 games with the Thunder and posted averages of 3.4 points, 1.7 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 11.8 minutes.

Arron Afflalo suspended for throwing elbow at Gordon Hayward

Arron Afflalo

Arron Afflalo of the Denver Nuggets has been suspended one game without pay for throwing an elbow to the head of Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter of Utah’s 121-102 win over Denver on March 23 at EnergySolutions Arena.

Afflalo will serve his suspension Sunday, March 25 when the Nuggets visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Video of incident is here.