Portland, OR (My Sportsbook) - Jamal Crawford scored 27 points off the bench and doled out seven assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks past the Portland Trail Blazers, 97-91, at the Rose Garden.

Joe Johnson added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks, who won for the third time in their four games this season. Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith had 12 points each, while Al Horford donated 11 points and 13 boards in the win.

"He (Crawford) was big...he kept us close," said Johnson. "He made big shots when we needed baskets and that's what we need him for. He makes it very easy. He's a guy that can score when all the focus is on me. He comes in and scores at ease."

LaMarcus Aldridge totaled game-bests of 20 points and 14 boards for the Blazers, who fell to 2-3 on the year. Brandon Roy ended with 19 points and six helpers, and Travis Outlaw scored 19.

"It's tough but it's still early," said Aldridge. "We still can learn from things like this, watch film, and try to come back stronger next game."

With the game tied early in the fourth frame, Smith had a reverse layup, Crawford added a traditional layup and Horford followed suit to give the visitors an 86-80 lead at the midway point of the stanza.

Outlaw, though, hit on a jumper and then nailed a three to close it to one point. Crawford added a jumper for Atlanta and it was 88-85 with 4:01 showing on the clock.

Outlaw then hit a stepback jumper from the top of the key before Johnson had a three-pointer to make it a four-point game.

The teams traded points before Andre Miller missed a layup which led to Horford's dunk, which gave the Hawks a 95-89 advantage with 56.4 left to play.

Outlaw had a layup on Portland's next possession, and Atlanta turned the ball over on its ensuing touch.

The Blazers then got a missed three from Steve Blake and Horford was fouled with 14.5 ticks showing, which all but sealed the deal.

The Blazers opened a 25-15 lead after the first quarter, but the Hawks battled back to close it to 48-47 at the intermission.

A seven-point run gave the Hawks a 56-52 lead with about 8 1/2 minutes left, but the Blazers answered.

Two Martell Webster free throws sparked a 12-0 Portland burst that gave the Blazers a 64-56 lead with 5:20 showing on the clock. Webster also hit a pair of threes on the surge.

However, the Hawks closed out the quarter on a 16-5 run that gave the team a 72-69 edge headed to the final frame.

Rudy Fernandez' three-pointer tied the game up at 78 about 2 1/2 minutes into the fourth.

Game Notes

Atlanta shot 46.3 percent from the floor, as Portland hit at a 42.4-percent clip...The Hawks had more rebounds, 46-36...These two teams split the home- and-home series a year ago with each club winning on its home floor. Overall, Portland has taken 13 of its last 16 contests with the Hawks.