(My Sportsbook) - The Western Conference's top team, the Los Angeles Lakers, resume a season-long road trip in the deep south Sunday when they face the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.

The Lakers improved to 4-0 on their trek Friday in New Jersey and cliched the top seed and home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs when Pau Gasol posted a season-high 36 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead Los Angeles in a 103-95 triumph over the Nets.

Derek Fisher chipped in 18 points while Kobe Bryant was a bit off with a 5- of-19 showing from the floor, ending with 14 points and nine assists. Bryant sprained his right ankle late in the first half, but did return to the contest and is listed as probable for Sunday's game.

Lamar Odom notched 12 points and 11 boards in the win against the Nets as LA improved to 27-9 on the road.

Lakers head coach Phil Jackson also passed Pat Riley (727) for most games coached in franchise history with the victory. LA's win was its fifth in a row and eighth in nine games.

"It's one more step forward. We have to continue to be successful and continue to win. It's one more step toward our goal," said Gasol of clinching the West's No. 1 seed.

LA will finish its road trip with visits to Charlotte and Milwaukee.

The Hawks, meanwhile, dropped their second straight and fell to 1-2 on a tough four-game homestand on Friday when Ray Allen poured in 22 points and Glen Davis ended with 19 points and 12 rebounds, as the Boston Celtics hung on to beat Atlanta, 99-93.

Boston, the Atlantic Division champions, was without the services of All-Star forward Kevin Garnett, who sat out with a sore right knee.

Josh Smith paced Atlanta with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Joe Johnson also netted 22 points for the Hawks, who dropped to 1-2 on a four-game homestand and 28-9 overall at Philips Arena. Mike Bibby finished with 19 points, while Al Horford grabbed 14 boards in defeat.

Atlanta currently has the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, three games ahead of Miami.

The Lakers have won two straight and four of their last five meetings with the Hawks, including a 96-83 win in Hollywood on February 17.