Atlanta Hawks' Joe Johnson, right, and Marvin Williams celebrate in the finals second of quadruple overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, March 25, 2012, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 139-133. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Hawks beat Jazz in NBA’s first 4OT game since 1997

By Brian T. Smith

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Mar 25 2012 03:53 pm • Last Updated Mar 25 2012 11:52 pm

Atlanta • Joe Johnson’s game-high 37 points led the Hawks to a 139-133 quadruple overtime victory against the Jazz on Sunday at Phillips Arena.

Al Jefferson’s team-high 28 points topped Utah (26-23), who saw a six-game winning streak snapped.

It was the only four-overtime contest in Jazz history and first in the NBA since 1997, when Phoenix beat Portland 140-139.

Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, C.J. Miles and Jefferson fouled out.

Five Utah players collected more than 50 minutes, led by Gordon Hayward’s game-high 57.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER ANALYSIS

The First: Hawks 29, Jazz 22

Atlanta starts sharp, opening up a 16-10 lead while dishing out six assists on seven made field goals. Paul Millsap and Gordon Hayward help Utah charge back. But Joe Johnson keeps firing away, pouring in 18 points on 8-of-8 shooting.

The Second: Hawks 55, Jazz 40

Atlanta’s second unit takes control, and the Hawks’ advantage rises to 42-31 midway through the period. Utah has no answer for Atlanta forward Josh Smith, and the Hawks’ lead swells to 17.

The Third: Hawks 75, Jazz 74

A different Utah team emerges from the break. Led by a recharged Hayward, the Jazz use an 11-0 run to pull within 55-51. An 18-footer by Millsap then gives Utah a 65-64 lead, and the Jazz outscore Atlanta 34-20.

The Fourth: Jazz 98, Hawks 98

Derrick Favors and Alec Burks increase the intensity, and Utah jumps ahead 85-83 after DeMarre Carroll’s fast-break slam. Smith keeps pounding away. Johnson and Millsap miss possible game-winners.

First overtime: Jazz 100, Hawks 100

Smith fouls out but the Jazz struggle to find an offensive rhythm. Millsap blows a dunk with less than a minute to go, but the Hawks can’t close the game out, either. A last-second 3 by Devin Harris hits the front rim.

Second overtime: Jazz 113, Hawks 113

Al Jefferson and Hawyard hit hard, pushing to Utah to a 107-102 lead with 2:52 to go. Back-to-back three-point plays by Jeff Teague and Zaza Pachulia make it 110-109, Hawks. Jefferson and Harris score four consecutive points. A 3 by Johnson ties it with 7.5 left.

Third overtime: Jazz 123, Hawks 123

Hayward just gets smoother, rolling off four points at the line and giving Utah a 121-119 advantage with 1:35 to go. Atlanta commits three unforced turnovers, but Millsap’s last-second fadeaway hits the front rim.

Fourth overtime: Hawks 139, Jazz 133

Teague and Willie Green shoot Atlanta out to a quick 128-123 lead. Jefferson and Millsap foul out. A 3 by Miles cuts Atlanta’s six-point lead to 131-128. But after Utah pulls within 133-131, Johnson drains a step-back 20-footer, giving Atlanta a four-point lead with 16.9 left.

- Brian T. Smith

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