Hawks pull plug on Pistons

Joe Johnson scored 29 points, including a layup with 7.5 seconds left, to lift the Hawks to a 99-98 victory over Detroit last night in Atlanta, denying the Pistons their 40th win.

Detroit, which boasts the best record in the league at 39-8, is on its first two-game losing streak of the season but is still off to the best start in franchise history.

Trailing, 98-97, Atlanta (15-32) had possession with 26.7 seconds left. Johnson worked the clock down before driving past Rasheed Wallace for the layup.

Following a timeout, Richard Hamilton missed a short jumper over Johnson. The Pistons had one more possession but couldn't get off a shot after inbounding the ball with 0.1 seconds left.

Mavericks 102, Lakers 87 -- Josh Howard had 22 points and was one of the Dallas defenders who helped frustrate Kobe Bryant most of the game as the host Mavericks extended their NBA-best victory streak to 12.

The Mavericks showed they could defend Bryant, who was held to 24 points -- well below his 52.5 average in his other two games against Dallas this year. He scored 62 against the Mavericks Dec. 20.

Brian Cook scored a career-high 28 points, and became the first player other than Bryant to lead the Lakers in scoring in the past 17 games.

Dallas squandered a 20-point first-half lead, and the Lakers went ahead for the only time when Lamar Odom made two free throws to make it 66-64 with 2:56 left in the third.

Kings 104, Grizzlies 96 -- Brad Miller (22 points) hit two straight 3-pointers late in the game to help host Sacramento beat Memphis.

Miller, who had missed the last three games with a thumb injury, scored 12 of the Kings final 14 points and added 10 rebounds.

Clippers 85, Knicks 82 -- Sam Cassell hit consecutive 3-pointers in the final two minutes, including the go-ahead one and Elton Brand scored 25 points as visiting Los Angeles won its fourth straight.