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Surging Hawks look to continue playoff push

Mar 31, 2008 - 1:04 PM Atlanta (33-40) at Memphis (19-54) 8:00 pm EDT

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - The Atlanta Hawks shoot for their fourth straight win when they visit the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

The Hawks, who have not made the playoffs since the 1998-99 season, are in the midst of a three-game winning streak that has given them a 2 1/2-game lead over New Jersey (31-43) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has nine games remaining.

Marvin Williams had 27 points and 11 rebounds, leading five Hawks in double figures in Sunday's 114-109 victory over the New York Knicks. Joe Johnson chipped in 25 points and a season-high 13 assists in the win.

Atlanta is going for a second straight series sweep of Memphis, which has lost three out of its last four contests.

The Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday but dropped a 110-97 contest to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

Rudy Gay scored 23 points to pace Memphis. The second-year pro has netted at least 20 points in six of his last seven contests.