The Hawks defeated the Celtics 100-91 on Friday night to sweep the season series for the first time since the 1995-96 season.

Prior to the game, Boston coach Doc Rivers paid extra attention on reserve guard Jamal Crawford, who "toasted" the Celtics in the team's three previous games.

"He owns us," Rivers told his team.

"We put a hit out on him today," center Kendrick Perkins said before the game. "Doc said somebody's got to step up and stop him."

Crawford ended up scoring 28 points in Atlanta's victory.

"I was kind of fired up, but I wasn't too worried about it," Crawford said of hearing about the comments by Perkins.

"They can knock me down, and I'll get back up. I know my teammates got my back."

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard Mario West to a second 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

In four games with Atlanta this season, West has averaged 1.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 7.8 mpg (.667 FG%, 1-1 FTs).

The Georgia Tech product is in his third year with the Hawks.

The National Basketball Association announced today that Commissioner David Stern has denied the Atlanta Hawks' protest of their 106-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 30, 2009.

In the protest, the Hawks argued that the failure of the shot clock operator to reset the shot clock following a defensive rebound by Atlanta with 1:57 remaining in the game warranted a replay of the game from that point forward.  

Commissioner Stern determined that the shot clock error did not have a clear impact on the game's outcome and therefore did not justify the extraordinary remedy of granting the protest and overturning the game's result.

Hawks coach Mike Woodson believes that Jeff Teague is the team's point guard of the future, but the rookie is going to have to wait his turn.

"I don't have to rush Teague," Woodson said. "I've got confidence in Teague. But [Mike] Bibby and Jamal [Crawford] have carried the load at the [point].

"I feel good about Teague and what he brings to the table. Eventually Teague will run this team, I think. But I don't have to throw him to the wolves like I did those other guys."

During his early days in Atlanta, Woodson was forced to play Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Josh Childress heavy minutes because he didn't have any other choice.

"It's always good to be winning," Teague said. "I know if I was a rookie right now and I was losing every game I would probably be really frustrated and depressed if I wasn't playing.

"But to be on a good team, and learn from really good players and when I do get out there get an opportunity to do my best, it's a blessing."

The Hawks drew up a play for an easy basket to force overtime against the Suns on Friday night, but Jamal Crawford had other plans.

Crawford's long three-pointer gave Atlanta a 102-101 win over Phoenix.

"We drew it up to get an easy basket," said Joe Johnson. "Luckily, we were able to get the 3."

The Hawks trailed 100-96 at home with 10 seconds left, but staged a furious comeback.

"I knew I was going for a win," said Crawford. "It felt good. I started backing the other way."

Two or three years ago, coach Mike Woodson developed what the Hawks call "the Nash rule" to dictate how it would defend Steve Nash on the pick-and-roll.

"He dissected people off the pick-and-roll," Woodson said Thursday. "Nobody knew how to play him, and people still don't know how to play him. We struggle to play him because he's so good at it."

Woodson wouldn't divulge the specifics of it, but said that the team now uses the Nash rule against "anybody that's a pick-and-roll player."

Jerry Stackhouse still hopes to play in the NBA again.

"I have the mind-set that I am going to be ready to try to help somebody," Stackhouse said. "I have been off a year and got my body right. It would be perfect for me to come in and try to win a championship."

He said his hometown team, Atlanta, would be a perfect fit, but has not received a call.

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard Mario West to a 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

West, who attended Douglas County High School in Douglasville before a four-year career at Georgia Tech, has appeared in 117 regular season games (five starts) with the Hawks over the last two years, averaging 0.9 ppg and 0.9 rpg in 4.6 mpg (.422 FG%, .554 FT%). He?s also seen action in 17 playoff contests with the Hawks, putting up 0.4 ppg (.231 FG%) in 3.1 mpg.

The Hawks won a testy contest against the Celtics in Boston on Monday night.

- Indiana 105, Toronto 101

Team FIC Differential: Pacers +1, Raptors -1

The Indiana Pacers (12-25) overcame a 23-point deficit to defeat the Toronto Raptors (19-20) on Monday night. Danny Granger scored 23 points, Troy Murphy posted 20 points and 16 rebounds and Earl Watson added 11 points and eight assists. Indiana held Toronto to 39% shooting and the Raptors attempted 16 more foul shots. Chris Bosh led with 27 points and 10 rebounds, Andrea Bargnani tallied 12 points and 17 boards and Jose Calderon contributed 12 points and six assists.

Game FIC Scores

Troy Murphy, Indiana ? 25.8

Chris Bosh, Toronto ? 19.2

Earl Watson, Indiana ? 14.8

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto ? 14.2

- Philadelphia 96, New Orleans 92

Team FIC Differential: 76ers +3.4, Hornets -3.4

The Philadelphia 76ers (12-25) outlasted the New Orleans Hornets (19-17) in a hotly-contested game at the Wachovia Center. Andre Iguodala starred with 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds, Samuel Dalembert tallied six points and 14 boards and Allen Iverson scored 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting. New Orleans won the rebounding battle by eight, but Philadelphia attempted 15 more free throws. Emeka Okafor had 20 points and 11 rebounds, David West posted 13 points and 13 rebounds and Chris Paul stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 14 assists and five rebounds.

Game FIC Scores

Chris Paul, New Orleans ? 20.9

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia ? 20.5

Emeka Okafor, New Orleans ? 16.9

Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia ? 15.8

- Atlanta 102, Boston 96

Team FIC Differential: Hawks +7.6, Celtics -7.6

The Atlanta Hawks (24-13) moved to 3-0 against the Boston Celtics (26-10) this season with a big win at TD Banknorth Garden. Joe Johnson led with 36 points on 14-for-25 shooting, Marvin Williams posted 14 points and eight rebounds and Jamal Crawford put up 17 points and six assists off the bench. Boston shot 55% from the field, but Atlanta attempted 15 more foul shots and turned the ball over just seven times. Rajon Rondo had 26 points and seven assists, Kendrick Perkins tallied 11 points and nine rebounds and Paul Pierce chipped in 19 points, eight boards and five dimes.

Game FIC Scores

Joe Johnson, Atlanta ? 17.3

Rajon Rondo, Boston ? 16.0

Jamal Crawford, Atlanta ? 13.3

Paul Pierce, Boston ? 13.3

- Chicago 120, Detroit 87

Team FIC Differential: Bulls +53, Pistons -53

The Chicago Bulls (16-20) outscored the Detroit Pistons (11-25) in each of the game?s four quarters on Monday evening. Luol Deng had 27 points and six rebounds, Derrick Rose tallied 22 points and nine assists and Joakim Noah totaled 16 points and 11 boards. Chicago shot a blistering 57% and outrebounded Detroit by seven. Richard Hamilton scored 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting, Jones Jerebko posted 15 points and nine rebounds and Austin Daye helped with 10 points and six boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Derrick Rose, Chicago ? 20.8

Joakim Noah, Chicago ? 20.5

Luol Deng, Chicago ? 19.4

Jonas Jerebko, Detroit ? 12.5

- Oklahoma City 106, New York 88

Team FIC Differential: Thunder +32.4, Knicks -32.4

The Oklahoma City Thunder (21-16) built a big lead against the New York Knicks (15-22) through the first three quarters at the Ford Center. Kevin Durant had 30 points and five rebounds, Russell Westbrook posted 17 points and five assists and Serge Ibaka added 10 points and seven boards. Oklahoma City held New York to 38% shooting and forced 20 turnovers. Wilson Chandler had 12 points and seven rebounds, David Lee tallied 11 points and 13 boards and Nate Robinson scored 19 points off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City ? 20.8

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City ? 17.0

Jonathan Bender, New York ? 13.0

Nate Robinson, New York ? 10.9

- Denver 105, Minnesota 94

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +27.3, Timberwolves -27.3

The Denver Nuggets (24-14) defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-31) in Carmelo Anthony?s return from a knee injury. Anthony scored a team-high 24 points, Chauncey Billups tallied 18 points and 10 assists and Arron Afflalo contributed 15 points, five rebounds and five dimes. Denver held Minnesota to 36% and the two clubs combined to turn the ball over 37 times. Corey Brewer led with 25 points and seven rebounds, Al Jefferson posted 22 points and 15 boards and Kevin Love put up 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Game FIC Scores

Corey Brewer, Minnesota ? 19.5

Chauncey Billups, Denver ? 18.9

Kevin Love, Minnesota ? 17.6

Al Jefferson, Minnesota ? 16.3

- Phoenix 105, Milwaukee 101

Team FIC Differential: Suns +5.5, Bucks -5.5

The Phoenix Suns (24-14) outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks (15-20) at the US Airways Center on Monday night. Steve Nash starred 30 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, Amare Stoudemire posted 23 points and 10 boards and Jason Richardson scored 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Phoenix shot 49% shooting, which allowed them to overcome 17 turnovers. Brandon Jennings had 14 points and eight assists, Andrew Bogut tallied 13 points and 13 rebounds and Hakim Warrick totaled 21 points and 10 boards.

Game FIC Scores

Steve Nash, Phoenix ? 23.2

Hakim Warrick, Milwaukee ? 14.8

Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee ? 13.8

Jason Richardson, Phoenix ? 13.2

- Utah 118, Miami 89

Team FIC Differential: Jazz +48, Heat -48

The Utah Jazz (21-17) thumped the Miami Heat (18-18) by 29 points at Energy Solutions Arena. Carlos Boozer had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Deron Williams tallied 23 points and 10 assists and Wesley Matthews scored 18 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Utah drilled 57% of their shots, but Miami won the rebounding battle by nine. Michael Beasley had 20 points and five rebounds, Dwyane Wade posted 13 points and six assists and Udonis Haslem helped with six points and 12 boards.

Game FIC Scores

Deron Williams, Utah ? 21.6

Carlos Boozer, Utah ? 18.1

Mehmet Okur, Utah ? 17.4

Dwyane Wade, Miami ? 10.4

- Cleveland 117, Golden State 114

Team FIC Differential: Cavaliers +15.7, Warriors -15.7

The Golden State Warriors (11-25) stormed back in the fourth quarter, but the Cleveland Cavaliers (30-1) held on at ORACLE Arena. LeBron James starred with 37 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, Andersen Varejao posted 15 points and nine boards and Shaquille O?Neal chipped in 13 points and six rebounds. Cleveland hit 53% of their shots and committed 22 turnovers. Corey Maggette had 32 points and seven rebounds, Monta Ellis tallied 30 points and five assists and Stephen Curry put up 21 points, seven boards and five dimes.

Game FIC Scores

LeBron James, Cleveland ? 35.2

Corey Maggette, Golden State ? 19.8

Stephen Curry, Golden State ? 16.1

Vladimir Radmanovic, Golden State ? 16.0

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.? Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

The Hawks are expected to sign forward Mario West to a 10-day contract on Tuesday.

West, who played for Atlanta in each of the past two seasons, was cut in training camp this year and has been playing for the Maine Red Claws in the NBA Developmental League.

Atlanta had two weeks to add a 13th player after requesting waivers on forward Othello Hunter last week.