Washington Wizards forward Chris Webber reaches for a block against Atlanta Hawks forwad Christian Laettner (32) during the first half at the MCI Center in Washington Sunday, Jan. 11, 1998. AP Photo/Brian K. Diggs

Hawks sweep Wizards

Web posted January 12, 1998

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Atlanta made 5 of 6 field goals in overtime, and Christian Laettner scored 23 points as the Hawks completed a back-to-back, home-and-home sweep of the Washington Wizards with a 107-102 victory Sunday.

Steve Smith scored four of his 22 points in the extra period for the Hawks, who won their third in a row after a seven-game losing streak. They also beat Washington 82-77 at Atlanta Friday.

Rod Strickland scored a career-high 37 points and had eight rebounds and 10 assists for the Wizards, who lost for only the second time in 12 games at the new MCI Center. Chris Webber had 25 points.

With the score tied 93-93 at the end of regulation, Tyrone Corbin began overtime with back-to-back jump shots as the Hawks built a 101-95 lead. Two free throws by Juwan Howard and a layup by Strickland closed the gap to two, but Smith scored the next four points -- on a reverse layup and two free throws -- to clinch the victory.

The game went to overtime after Smith, guarded tightly by Howard, missed a runner at the fourth quarter buzzer. The Wizards had tied the score at 93 when Strickland made one of two free throws with 13 seconds remaining.

After a lot of good natured, on-the-court jawing in the Wizards' defeat Friday, there also was plenty of trash-talking this time.

Webber, from Michigan, and Smith, from Michigan State, exchanged words after Smith missed a technical free throw that would have tied the score in the fourth quarter. Webber also gave an index finger-wave to Dikembe Mutombo after a dunk in the third quarter, responding to Mutombo's similar gesture after blocking Webber's shot in the first quarter. Notes: Strickland's previous high was 36 points with Portland in a game at New York Jan. 24, 1995. ... Wizards guard Calbert Cheaney left the game in the first quarter with tendinitis in his right knee and did not return. ... The Hawks are 4-1 in overtime, the Wizards are 1-2.