ATLANTA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Josh Smith scored 16 points in helping Atlanta build a 30-point lead Friday and the Hawks easily held on to defeat Utah 96-83.
Atlanta took an 81-51 advantage into the closing period en route to its sixth consecutive win.
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Smith added eight rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks. Marvin Williams contributed 15 points and Joe Johnson and Al Horford each had 12.
Atlanta improved to 12-2 at home and has a 15-4 record since Nov. 7.
Utah, which had won three of its previous four games, was led by 13 points from Andrei Kirilenko. The Jazz turned the ball over a dozen times more than Atlanta.
