LOS ANGELES – Another game. Another scoring drought. Another loss.
The Hawks managed just eight points in a 7:38 stretch of the third quarter and it proved costly. The Clippers took advantage of the Hawks’ offensive issue en route to a 109-108 victory Saturday night at Staples Center.
The Clippers led by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter before the Hawks rallied. Kyle Korver converted a four-point play with 3:30 remaining to pull the Hawks to within two points, 102-100. DeMarre Carroll then hit a 3-pointer to make it a 107-105 with 2:05 remaining. After a Clippers turnover, Jeff Teague hit a floater for a tie game with 1:35 left.
The Clippers missed on the ensuing possession and Teague drove the lane but missed after some contact. Chris Paul converted a layup on the other end with under a minute left for a 109-107 advantage.
Teague turned the ball over on the Hawks’ next possession and Blake Griffin missed two free throws with 13.4 seconds left.
Teague was fouled driving to the basket with 1.2 seconds left. He missed the first attempt off the front of the rim. He banked in the second attempt trying to miss.
The Hawks got a turnover but there was no time for a last-ditch shot attempt.
The Hawks (26-35, 9-24 road) have lost six straight and 14 of 15 overall. They fell to 1-12 on road against the Western Conference.
Carroll led the Hawks with 19 points, including 10 in the first quarter. Korver added 17 points. Pero Antic (16 points), Paul Millsap (14), Shelvin Mack (11) and Mike Scott (10) were the other double-digit scorers.
Despite the month-long losing streak, the Hawks remain eighth in the Eastern Conference with 21 games remaining in the regular season.
The Clippers (44-20, 26-5 home) won their seventh straight game
Griffin led the Clippers with a game-high 27 points. Paul added 19 points and 10 assists.
The Clippers ended the third quarter on an 18-8 run to take an 88-78 advantage into the final period. The Hawks had trouble scoring for more than seven minutes. Three of the Hawks points were a desperation 3-pointer by Shelvin Mack at the shot-clock buzzer.
The Hawks led by as many as seven points in the first half. They took a 58-57 lead into halftime and forced the Clippers into seven first-quarter turnovers.
Antic started at center for the Hawks as coach Mike Budenholzer went back to the lineup that was successful prior his injury.
The Hawks conclude a five-game western trip Monday at the Jazz.
