National Basketball Association

Hawks sew up No. 4 seed in East

Published Apr. 11, 2009 5:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Josh Smith insists the Atlanta Hawks have only begun to earn some respect in the NBA.

"Critics didn't give us a chance at the beginning," he said. "That's what makes this so special."

Smith scored 30 points and Joe Johnson had 24 to help the Hawks clinch the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference with a 122-118 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.