Sports

C.J. Williams Hits 3 To Lift Clippers Over Hawks, 108-107

January 8, 2018 / 10:43 PM PST / KCAL News

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — C.J. Williams hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with nine seconds left to lift the Los Angeles Clippers over the Atlanta Hawks 108-107 on Monday night.

Lou Williams led Los Angeles with 34 points but missed a late 3 that was rebounded by Wesley Johnson. He passed the ball out to C.J. Williams for a shot that snapped the Clippers' two-game skid.

Taurean Prince missed a 15-foot jumper with three seconds remaining on Atlanta's last possession.

DeAndre Jordan added 25 points and 18 rebounds as Los Angeles won despite blowing a 13-point lead in the third quarter. The Clippers played without leading scorer Blake Griffin, who suffered a concussion Saturday against Golden State.

Prince scored 20 points, Dennis Schroder added 18 and Kent Bazemore and Ersan Ilyasova had 13 apiece for Atlanta, which lost its fourth straight.

With the score tied at 105, Lou Williams missed a short shot and Bazemore made two free throws after being fouled in the lane with 23 seconds to play, putting Atlanta up 107-105.

After C.J. Williams hit a floater from the left baseline with 3:35 left, tying the score at 99, Bazemore followed up a layup with a 3-pointer to give Atlanta a 104-100 lead with 2:11 to play. After Lou Williams committed a turnover, Bazemore was fouled by Jordan and hit one of two free throws for a 105-99 advantage.

The Hawks then decided to foul Jordan on three consecutive possessions. He made five of six free throws to pull Los Angeles to 105-104 with 1:08 left.

The Clippers forced an Atlanta turnover on the ensuing inbounds play, and Juwan Evans made the first of two free throws. Johnson was called for basket interference as the second shot hung on the rim, giving Atlanta the ball with the score tied at 105.

GRIFFIN UPDATE

Griffin was inactive against the Hawks, but did ride an exercise bike during the Clippers' workout earlier in the day and continues to progress toward a return that coach Doc Rivers expects to be at least three or four days away.

"He's passed a couple of tests already," Rivers said. "The whole (concussion) protocol thing now, you have to go through the entire protocol. I think he has another couple of tests to pass, and we'll just have to wait."

TIP-INS

Hawks: Prince was a game-time decision, as the Hawks wanted to see how he felt about his dislocated right ring finger after pregame warmups. Prince was injured in the first quarter against the Lakers the night before. ... Fifth-year center Duane Dedmon was under a minutes restriction in his first game after missing 19 with a left tibia stress reaction, coach Mike Budenholzer said. "He's fit us well," Budenholzer said. "His leadership and personality have been a welcomed addition this year. I think getting those things back on the court, we're all looking forward to it."

Clippers: Los Angeles played without four of its five opening-night starters (Griffin, Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic), and the first man off the bench that night, Austin Rivers. Jordan was the only opening-night starter to play against the Hawks. ... Jordan, a career 43 percent free throw shooter, made 21 of his 25 free throws over the previous four games.

UP NEXT

Hawks: At the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Clippers: At the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.