Atlanta scored the first nine points and took control before many fans even took their seats. The Hawks shot 14-of-19 and outrebounded the Hornets 15-4 in the opening period, limiting Charlotte to 27 percent (6-of-22) from the field.

Smith nearly outscored the Hornets all by himself and Dikembe Mutombo doubled up Charlotte on the boards with eight rebounds. LaPhonso Ellis and Alan Henderson added eight points in the first quarter, more than anyone on the Hornets could muster.

Smith, Mutombo and Ellis didn't play at all in the second period and the other two starters, Henderson and Mookie Blaylock, worked a total of only five minutes. But the reserves were able to keep pace with the Hornets, pushing the lead as high as 28 points before the Hawks settled for a 57-36 advantage at halftime.

Atlanta got sloppy in the second half and Charlotte cut the deficit to 81-71 on Eldridge Recasner's three-point play with 8:30 remaining. The hornets had two chances to cut Atlanta's lead to single digits but failed to convert, and the Hawks pulled away on baskets by Mookie Blaylock and Ty Corbin.

Derrick Coleman led the Hornets with 17 points.

Timberwolves 86, Lakers 75

MINNEAPOLIS--With Shaquille O'Neal on the bench with an injury and the rest of their starters colder than the Minnesota weather, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't keep up with the Timberwolves.

The Lakers suffered through one of the worst shooting nights in franchise history and Kevin Garnett scored 21 points to lead Minnesota to an 86-75 victory last night.

O'Neal, who led the Lakers in scoring in the first four games and was second in the NBA with a 30.5 average, sat out with a strained right abdominal muscle. He sustained the injury Wednesday night at Denver and will be re-evaluated Friday.

Sitting on the bench in a red hooded sweatshirt, O'Neal could only watch as the Lakers shot 33.3 percent, including 28.5 percent by the starters. The Lakers needed to hit three straight shots in the final minute to avoid the franchise-worst 31.2 percent shooting they endured against Denver on Nov. 12, 1993.

After shooting just 30 percent through the first three games, Garnett was 9-for-19 to lead the Wolves. Sam Mitchell had 20 points and six rebounds off the bench, and Joe Smith added 17 points.

Kobe Bryant had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, his fifth double-double in as many games. But he shot just 8-for-21 and was the only Los Angeles player in double figures.

The Lakers wouldn't speculate how long O'Neal might be out; he missed 21 games with a strained abdominal on the left side last season.

Elden Campbell started in place of O'Neal and had a terrible night, shooting 2-for-10.

Magic 87, Pistons 81