NBA: Atlanta 115, Milwaukee 96

ATHENS, Ga., March 26 (UPI) -- Joe Johnson scored 28 points Wednesday and Atlanta moved closer to a playoff berth by defeating Milwaukee 115-96.

The Hawks maintained their half-game lead over New Jersey for the eighth post-season spot in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey kept the pressure on the Hawks by defeating Indiana Wednesday.

Atlanta hit 57 percent of its shots from the field. Josh Childress added 20 points in 29 minutes off the bench and both Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby had 16.

Milwaukee, losers of eight out of nine, was led by Andrew Bogut with 27 points and Michael Redd with 20. Those two, however, combined to score just five in the second half after the Bucks had stayed within five points at the break.

Bogut left in the fourth quarter with a broken nose after being hit across the face going for a rebound. No foul was called.

Johnson scored eight straight Atlanta points during a 12-3 run in the second quarter that put the Hawks in front for good.