Clippers Hand Lakers The Pacific Division After Losing To Hawks
Standings
ATLANTA (CBS/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 that was never in 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.
With the Clippers losing, the Los Angeles Lakers win the Pacific Division and clinch the 3rd spot in the Western Conference.
The Clippers can still control their own destiny by winning their final home game of the season against the New York Knicks and can clinch home-court for the first-round of the playoffs.
