Atlanta ? Joe Johnson delivered big in the final seconds for the Atlanta Hawks for the second time in three games.

Johnson hit a running layup with 7.5 seconds left, helping the Hawks beat the Detroit Pistons, 99-98, on Tuesday night.

“Those are the moments I grew up dreaming about when I was playing in my front yard,” Johnson said.

The Hawks kept the Pistons from becoming the first NBA team with 40 victories. Detroit, which lost Saturday night at Indiana, has lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Detroit (39-8) still boasts the league’s best record.

“You always dream you’re going against the team with the best record,” Johnson said.

On Friday night, Johnson sank a jumper with less than a second left to give the Hawks a 96-94 victory over Orlando.

“Joe is really a clutch performer,” Hawks forward Josh Smith said. “We knew he would give us a lift.”

Johnson led the Hawks with 29 points.

Atlanta guard Joe Johnson (2) looks for room around Detroit guard Carlos Arroyo. Johnson hit the game-winning shot in the Hawks' 99-98 victory Tuesday night in Atlanta.

Mavericks 102, Lakers 87

Dallas – Josh Howard had 22 points and was one of the Dallas defenders who helped frustrate Kobe Bryant most of the game, as the Mavericks won their NBA-best 12th straight game.

Brian Cook scored a career-high 28 and became the first player other than Bryant to lead the Lakers in scoring the past 17 games.

Clippers 85, Knicks 82

New York – Sam Cassell hit consecutive three-pointers in the final two minutes, including the go-ahead shot.

Elton Brand scored 25, nine in the fourth quarter, and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 4-1 on their six-game road trip.

Kings 104, Grizzlies 96

Sacramento, Calif. – Sacramento’s Brad Miller scored 22, including two straight late three-pointers.

Miller, who had missed the last three games because of a thumb injury, scored 12 of the Kings’ final 14 points and added 10 rebounds.