Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Joe Johnson (center) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (right) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday. (AP-Yonhap News)
ATLANTA (AP) ― Joe Johnson scored 28 points, including a wild 3-pointer in the final minute, and the Atlanta Hawks held on for a 109-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, moving a step closer to wrapping up home-court in the first round of the playoffs.
Blake Griffin scored a season-high 36 points, while Chris Paul added 34 in a back-and-forth game in which neither team led by double figures until the Hawks went on a 15-2 run at the end of the third quarter, sparked by Jeff Teague and Josh Smith.
Johnson clinched it with a pair of 3s, knocking down a desperation shot with 38 seconds remaining and the shot clock running down. He threw up a two-handed heave that somehow banked in, giving the Hawks a 103-96 lead.
The score was tied at 70 when the Hawks took control. Teague scored seven straight points and got the best of his fellow Wake Forest guard at the defensive end, stuffing Paul on a drive to the hoop.
Teague stood over the Clippers’ star, smiling, but there was no bad blood. Paul hopped up to give the Hawks’ player a pat on the backside.
After Paul hit a pair of free throws, Smith scored six straight points, including a dunk after Paul turned it over with an errant pass. Marvin Williams led the fast break, missing on a drive to the hoop, but Smith was there to clean up.
Hawks 109, Clippers 102
Thunder 118, Kings 110
Celtics 78, Heat 66
Hornets 83, Warriors 81
Jazz 100, Suns 88
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