Atlanta Hawks forward Ivan Johnson (44) shoots as Orlando Magic forward Kyle O’Quinn defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Ivan Johnson led the short-handed Atlanta Hawks past division rival Orlando Magic 97-88 on Saturday, sweeping the four-game season series.

Johnson powered the Hawks with a season-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, while shooting 7-of-14 from the field. He also added three steals, one assist and one block in 34 minutes off the bench.

Johnson’s huge game couldn’t have come at a better time as the Hawks needed someone in the front court to step up because both centers, Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia, missed the game with injuries. Horford missed his second straight game with a stomach illness, while it was reported earlier Saturday that Pachulia will need season-ending surgery to repair a sore Achilles.

Josh Smith matched Johnson’s scoring output with 21 points and chipped in with nine boards, three blocks, two assists and two steals in a team-high 40 minutes of action.

Devin Harris scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to help the Hawks seal the home victory. He shot five-of-nine overall, including two-of-three from the behind the arc, to go with six helpers and four caroms.

Shelvin Mack, Anthony Tolliver and Kyle Korver each scored eight points. Korver hit a 3-pointer in the contest, extending his streak to 67 straight games.

Atlanta jumped out to a 7-2 run to start the game, but Orlando went on a huge run and led 19-11 at the 4:31 mark of the opening quarter. The Magic ended the period leading 27-23.

The second quarter was much tighter as both teams traded buckets throughout, but it was the Hawks who were up at halftime 45-44 after J-Smoove’s buzzer beating putback.

Beno Udrih’s mid-range jumper at the 3:48 mark in the third period tied the score at 55.

Then Atlanta pulled away.

They ended the third leading by seven points and cruised in the fourth, as Anthony Tolliver’s dunk with 26 seconds left in regulation sealed the Hawks’ victory.

Orlando got within three points early in the fourth quarter as Andrew Nicholson’s driving layup cut the deficit to 67-64, but Atlanta scored the next six points and never looked back.

Udrih filled-in for injured point guard Jameer Nelson and paced the Magic with 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

Maurice Harkless poured in 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting and filled the stat sheet with four boards, three steals, two assists and one block.

Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris each added double-doubles. Vucevic had 17 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Harris finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Atlanta has beaten Orlando 10 straight times and now holds sole possession of fifth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of Chicago.

The Magic (19-55) head to Houston to play the Rockets (40-33) on Monday, April 1, at 8:00 PM (ET).

The Hawks (41-33) host the Cavaliers (22-49) on Monday, April 1, at 7:30 PM (ET).

ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks slams the ball home against the Orlando Magic during the game on February 13, 2013 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

UPDATE – Al Horford is inactive for Atlanta Hawks. Jameer Nelson is inactive for Orlando Magic.

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Game Preview

The short-handed Atlanta Hawks return home after a four-game road trip and look to sweep the season series over Southeast Divisional foe Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Atlanta has some wounded birds as it was reported earlier today that Zaza Pachulia will miss the rest of the season due to surgery needed on a sore right Achilles.

Devin Harris (sore left foot) and Al Horford (stomach illness) were both game-time decisions yesterday, but neither took the court. Harris suited up for action but coach Larry Drew didn’t give him any minutes. He’s now missed the previous three games. Horford was inactive yesterday and the same goes for today.

Rookie John Jenkins had to leave Friday’s game in Boston after suffering a concussion in the first half. He didn’t return to the game after running into a pick set by Paul Pierce and is out for Saturday’s showdown.

DeShawn Stevenson most likely will not play Saturday as well, as he usually rests on the second day of back-to-backs due to of sore knees.

Orlando is missing key players too.

Point guard Jameer Nelson left in the first quarter of Friday’s home game against the Washington Wizards after spraining his ankle. He did not return.

Double-double machine Nikola Vucevic is questionable with a mild concussion, and veterans Glen Davis (fractured left foot) and Arron Afflalo (strained right hamstring) are out.

The Hawks lead the Magic 3-0 this season and look to sweep the series in the fourth and final game tonight.

They won the first matchup in Atlanta 81-72 on Nov. 12, and the next two meetings in Orlando 86-80 on Dec. 12, and 108-76 on Feb. 13, respectively.

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Quick Facts

Who?: Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic

What?: Southeast Divisional Showdown (Game #74, Home Game #36)

Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)

When?: Saturday, March 30, 2013 – 7:00 PM (EST)

How?: SportSouth HDTV / 93.7 FM

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Projected Starting Lineups

Atlanta Hawks: 

PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Devin Harris | SF: Kyle Korver | PF: Josh Smith | C: Johan Petro

Orlando Magic:

PG: Beno Udrih | SG: DeQuan Jones | SF: Maurice Harkless | PF: Tobias Harris | C: Kyle O’Quinn

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Injury/Inactive Players Report

Atlanta Hawks: Devin Harris (sore left foot) is questionable. Al Horford (stomach illness), DeShawn Stevenson (sore knees), John Jenkins (mild concussion), Zaza Pachulia (sore right Achilles) and Lou Williams (torn ACL, right knee) are out.

Orlando Magic: Jameer Nelson (sprained right ankle), Nikola Vucevic (mild concussion), Glen Davis (fractured left foot) and Arron Afflalo (strained right hamstring) are out.

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Current Records/Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold

Records: Atlanta Hawks (40-33) … Orlando Magic (19-54)

Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Lost 1 / HOME: Lost 1 / ROAD: Lost 1 … Orlando Magic –> OVERALL: Won 1 / HOME: Won 1 / ROAD: Lost 6

Home/Away Records: Hawks are (22-13) at home … Magic are (8-27) away.

Atlanta Hawks: Cold.

Orlando Magic: Cold.

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Season/Past Season Series

The Magic come to Philips Arena for the second time this year in the fourth-and-final matchup with the Hawks. Atlanta boasts a 3-0 record against Orlando this season, including an 81-72 home victory on 11/19. The Hawks also posted road wins on 12/12 (86-80) and 2/13 (108-76). Al Horford is averaging 18.0 points and 11.3 rebounds in three games versus the Magic. Atlanta currently owns a nine-game winning streak against Orlando, including five-in-a-row at Philips Arena. The Magic’s last win in the series was a 93-89 home decision on 11/8/10, while their last victory at Philips Arena came on 11/26/09 (93-76). The Hawks lead the all-time series 46-45, including a 29-15 advantage at home.

LAST MEETING — HAWKS 108, MAGIC 76 — AMWAY CENTER (ORLANDO, FL) – 2/13/13

Atlanta jumped all over Orlando from the beginning and never looked back, posting a 108-76 road win. The Hawks led by six after one but went on a 28-9 run in the second quarter helping them to a 57-36 advantage at the break. Atlanta was never threatened in the second half, leading by as-many-as-38, and cruised to the victory. Josh Smith led the way with 30 points and 10 rebounds and Al Horford tallied 26 points and 12 boards. Jeff Teague chipped-in with 11 of Atlanta’s 32 assists (against nine turnovers). Jameer Nelson and Andrew Nicholson paced Orlando with 10 points apiece. The Hawks grabbed a season-high 54 rebounds to the Magic’s 41, and outscored their hosts 18-8 in second chance points and 14-4 in fast break points.

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Common Threads

Zaza Pachulia spent his rookie season (2003-04) with Orlando, where DeShawn Stevenson also played part of that year (Stevenson played in Orlando through 2005-06). Bob Weiss is a former Magic assistant coach. Al Horford attended the University of Florida. Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn had two separate stints in a Hawks uniform, playing all 82 games in 2001-02 and 72 contests in 2003-04. Al Harrington played for the Hawks from 2004-06, appearing in 142 games (18.1 ppg). Johan Petro and Arron Afflalo were teammates in Denver in 2009-10. Lou Williams and Nikola Vucevic teamed-up in Philadelphia during the 2011-12 campaign.

Information was used from the Hawks and Magic official gamenotes

ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks goes up for the easy bucket against the Orlando Magic during the game on February 13, 2013 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

UPDATE – Al Horford is inactive for Atlanta Hawks. Jameer Nelson is inactive for Orlando Magic.

***

The short-handed Atlanta Hawks return home after a four-game road trip and look to sweep the season series over Southeast Divisional foe Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Atlanta has some wounded birds as it was reported earlier today that Zaza Pachulia will miss the rest of the season due to surgery needed on a sore right Achilles.

Devin Harris (sore left foot) and Al Horford (stomach illness) were both game-time decisions yesterday, but neither took the court. Harris suited up for action but coach Larry Drew didn’t give him any minutes. He’s now missed the previous three games. Horford was inactive yesterday and the same goes for today.

Rookie John Jenkins had to leave Friday’s game in Boston after suffering a concussion in the first half. He didn’t return to the game after running into a pick set by Paul Pierce and is out for Saturday’s showdown.

DeShawn Stevenson most likely will not play Saturday as well, as he usually rests on the second day of back-to-backs due to of sore knees.

Orlando is missing key players too.

Point guard Jameer Nelson left in the first quarter of Friday’s home game against the Washington Wizards after spraining his ankle. He did not return.

Double-double machine Nikola Vucevic is questionable with a mild concussion, and veterans Glen Davis (fractured left foot) and Arron Afflalo (strained right hamstring) are out.

The Hawks lead the Magic 3-0 this season and look to sweep the series in the fourth and final game tonight.

They won the first matchup in Atlanta 81-72 on Nov. 12, and the next two meetings in Orlando 86-80 on Dec. 12, and 108-76 on Feb. 13, respectively.