(Sports Network) - Joe Johnson finished with a game-high 25 points and added seven assists and five rebounds to lead the streaking Atlanta Hawks to a 109-91 win over the Denver Nuggets.

Mike Bibby had 20 points and nine assists, while Al Horford contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who have won five in a row and eight of nine. Atlanta's win wrapped up a seven-game homestand in which the club went 7-1, with the lone loss a three-point decision against Eastern Conference- leading Boston.

"I thought we showed a lot of heart and courage during this homestand," Johnson said. "7-1, I'll take it all day. I just think it was a challenge, man...Knowing that they're pretty good on the road, we just wanted to come out, feed off the crowd and kind of make our own energy."

Kenyon Martin had 19 points to pace Denver, which had a two-game win streak snapped. Carmelo Anthony added 16 points for the Nuggets in the loss.

"We didn't bring enough (on) either end," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Offensively we ran out of gas."

Already ahead by seven points at the outset of the fourth quarter, Atlanta stretched its lead to 81-71 on a three-pointer from Maurice Evans, the first basket of the new stanza.

The teams traded points down the stretch, as Denver couldn't cut into the Hawks' lead substantially. Atlanta didn't pull away until Johnson had a basket that Bibby followed with a three-pointer with just under four minutes remaining, handing the team a 101-86 lead, and the Hawks cruised to the win from there.

Atlanta scored the final seven points of the first quarter to take a 29-24 lead into the second.

But a seven-point burst from Denver shortly into the new frame put the Nuggets on top, 33-32. Later in the second quarter, after the Hawks had edged back in front, Bibby followed two Josh Smith free throws with a triple to boost Atlanta's advantage to 51-42 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining until the break. However, Anthony countered with a three of his own and Martin added a dunk to bring Denver within four.

The game stayed close the rest of the half, and Chauncey Billups' basket in the final minute got the Nuggets within 54-53 at the intermission.

Atlanta held a slight lead in the third quarter, then scored the final four points of the frame to take a 78-71 lead into the fourth.

Game Notes

Billups and J.R. Smith each had 11 points for Denver, while Linas Kleiza had 10...Josh Smith had 10 points for Atlanta, while Marvin Williams added 12 and Ronald Murray 13...The Hawks made 12-of-23 attempts from three-point range, with Bibby sinking 5-of-6...Atlanta outrebounded Denver 44-27.



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