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Fading Hawks host sinking Clippers

Mar 14, 2008 - 1:16 PM LA Clippers (21-42) at Atlanta (26-38) 7:30 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - A victory over the struggling Los Angeles Clippers is exactly what the Atlanta Hawks need to start a push towards a playoff berth.

The Hawks are 3-7 in their last 10 games, but trail eighth-place New Jersey by just a half-game in the Eastern Conference standings.

Atlanta has the longest postseason draught in the league, having missed the playoffs each year since 1999.

"It's been tough," said the Hawks' Joe Johnson. "Every time we get in a position to move up, we take a step back."

Atlanta has lost six of its last seven games and 14 of 18. The Hawks have lost seven of their last nine games against the Clippers, but have won two of the last three.

Los Angeles has lost nine of its last 11 games, including Wednesday's 110-86 loss to Orlando. The Clippers were without the services of center Chris Kaman (back) for the second consecutive game.