NBA: Atlanta 114, New York 109

ATLANTA, March 30 (UPI) -- Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson combined for 52 points Sunday, and the Atlanta Hawks improved their playoff chances with a 114-109 win over the New York Knicks.

Atlanta is 2 1/2 games ahead of the New Jersey Nets for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Williams scored 27 points and Johnson 25 had points and 13 assists. Al Horford contributed 18 points and Mike Bibby and Josh Childress scored 16 apiece.

New York's Jamal Crawford totaled 39 points, including 19 in the final quarter. David Lee had his fifth straight double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.