Johnson's late lay-up helps Hawks soar over Pistons
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-08 16:50

Atlanta's Tyson Lue missed the game with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, suffered in Monday's practice. Lue is expected to be out four to six weeks.

In New York, Elton Brand scored 25 points and had 12 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Knicks 85-82.

Chris Kaman added 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers.

Jalen Rose, recently acquired from the Toronto Raptors for Antonio Davis, scored 23 points and Eddy Curry added 14 points for the Knicks.

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points and had 12 rebounds as the Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 102-87.

Josh Howard added 22 points and had 10 rebounds for the Mavericks.

Brian Cook scored 28 points and Kobe Bryant added 24 points for the Lakers.