NBA Preview from The Sports Network
Saturday, November 24th
(All times eastern)
Los Angeles Clippers (8-4) at Atlanta Hawks (7-4), 7 p.m.
(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Clippers complete a four-game road trip on
Saturday night when they head to Philips Arena for a matchup with the Atlanta
Hawks.
The Clippers are coming off an 86-76 loss Friday night in Brooklyn to the
Nets. Los Angeles was ahead late, but the Nets closed out the game on a 12-2
run over the final four minutes.
The Clippers, one of 10 teams averaging over 100 ppg, were held to their
lowest output of the season Friday. Brooklyn is a top-five defensive team, but
the Clips didn't get enough out their stars, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
"We didn't get (Griffin) the ball enough, especially in the second half,"
Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro remarked. "And I thought we didn't open up
the court up well enough for Chris at times so he can get some attempts up as
well. We need those guys to score."
Griffin and Paul each had 14 points, while Griffin grabbed eight boards and
Paul handed out nine assists before fouling out. DeAndre Jordan managed a
double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Clippers have lost two in a row after a six-game winning streak. They
opened this road sojourn with a win in San Antonio, but have now lost in
Oklahoma City and Brooklyn.
The Hawks are headed in the opposite direction of the Clippers.
They have won four in a row, highlighted by Friday night's 101-91 victory in
Charlotte over the Bobcats. Saturday's contest starts a five-game homestand
for the Hawks.
Al Horford led the way with game highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds. He also
blocked three shots as the Hawks as a team blocked 15 shots in holding the
Bobcats to 37.3 percent from the field. The 15 swats represented the highest
total for the Hawks in a game since Nov. 5, 2001.
"Our guys did a great job of challenging shots," Hawks coach Larry Drew said.
"We can't allow teams to get free looks at the rim, we have to challenge
them."
Drew's Hawks are second in the NBA in opponents' scoring, third in opponents'
field-goal percentage, first in forcing turnovers and second in steals per
game.
As great as the Hawks have been over the last four games, Drew had to be
concerned about some sloppiness on Friday night. They committed 22 turnovers,
led by five from Josh Smith, who is sixth in the league in turnovers per
night.
The Clippers defeated the Hawks 89-76 on Nov. 11 in Los Angeles. The Hawks are
5-1 at home against the Clips in their last six.
11/24 10:54:08 ET

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