Getting past 59 wasn't that difficult for the Atlanta Hawks. All it took was half the game against the New York Knicks. Yes folks, the Knicks are definitely not the New Orleans Hornets.
Atlanta shot a blistering 55-percent from the field in the first half and posted 34 points in the paint -- including a thunderous jam by Josh Smith in transition -- as they took a 60-43 lead over the listless Knicks into the break.
Joe Johnson, who kills the Knicks at Philips Arena -- lead Atlanta with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field. Josh Smith had 12. Former New York Knickerbocker Jamal Crawford has nine against his former team, while Al Horford neared a double-double in the first half with 10 points and nine boards.
The Knicks played most of the second quarter without Amare Stoudemire, who picked up his third foul in the frame. Nevertheless, he leads New York with 10 points in 12 minutes. The Bricks Knicks can't buy a bucket from behind the arc. They are 1-for-11 from behind the 3-point line. They also aren't able to get to the charity line -- posting two -- yes -- two free throws through the first 24 minutes of basketball.
Atlanta holds a 27-16 edge on the glass and seems to be clicking on all cylinders on offense. This is the best that the Hawks have looked in a long, long time.