(My Sportsbook) - The Atlanta Hawks finally ended their recent losing ways and will try to start another winning streak tonight versus the Southeast Division-rival Charlotte Bobcats at Philips Arena.

Atlanta opened the season with a sizzling 6-0 record before dropping four straight games. It then rebounded with Wednesday's 91-87 victory over the Washington Wizards in the opener of a short two-game homestand, as Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams both buried three-pointers in the final minute to keep the Hawks safely ahead.

Williams scored 21 points and pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds, and Johnson logged 19 points, eight assists and eight boards for Atlanta, which got 25 points from veteran Mike Bibby. The Hawks, who are 3-1 at home this season, played without Al Horford (sprained right ankle) and forward Josh Smith (sprained left ankle). Horford is questionable for Friday and Smith is out two to four weeks.

The Bobcats have dropped two in a row and four of five games, including Tuesday's 100-83 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the finale of a six-game homestand at Time Warner Cable Arena.

D.J. Augustin scored a career-high 21 points for the Bobcats, who finished with a 2-4 record on the residency. Raymond Felton and Shannon Brown each added 11 points in defeat.

Charlotte is 0-2 as the visitor this season. Bobcats guard Jason Richardson is still out after undergoing right knee surgery and is expected to miss Friday's game.

Atlanta and Charlotte split four meetings a year ago, but the Bobcats have won two straight, five of seven and seven of the last 10 meetings.

Charlotte, though, has lost two straight and three of four at Philips Arena.