--The Hawks shared the ball in a way they hadn't since their seven-game winning streak ended against Orlando on Thanksgiving. They finished with a season-best 37 assists on their 52 baskets. G Joe Johnson led with a season-high 11 assists. The Hawks moved well both in transition and in the half-court, enabling C Al Horford to make 10-of-12 shots on a collection of drives to the basket, jump shots and dunks. The Hawks reached 100 points with 3:40 left in the third quarter on a typical play for the night. F Joe Smith pump-faked at the free-throw line, but passed up a shot to hit F Marvin Williams cutting to the lane. Williams passed up another shot and found C Zaza Pachulia at the basket for a dunk.
"Guys are sacrificing the basketball," Woodson said. "And that's how it's got to be offensively."
--As impressive as their offensive showing was against the Raptors, it was the Hawks' focus on the defensive end that makes them so successful this season. They stymied Raptors All-Star F Chris Bosh, the NBA's leader in double-doubles, who barely managed a single-single. In foul trouble early, the former Georgia Tech star didn't score until 8:43 remained in the third quarter. He finished with two points and five rebounds.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We were simply outclassed. They destroyed us." -- Raptors coach Jay Triano. on the whipping the Hawks put on his team Wednesday night.
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