Atlanta 117, LA Clippers 93 | Mar. 14, 2008 | Philips Arena

---

Links:
Recap | Box Score | Game Highlights | Quotes


• Recording their biggest win of the year -- 24 points (their previous best was 21 vs. Chicago, January 13) -- the Atlanta Hawks cruised past the LA Clippers Friday night, 117-93. The home team led by as many as 34.
• Joe Johnson ripped the nets for 21 points in the third, as Atlanta outscored Los Angeles 33-23 in the period. Johnson finished with 28 on the night and Josh Smith scored 25 on 10-of-15 shooting. JJ connected on 10-of-14 attempts.
• With three Hawks scoring in double figures in the first half, Atlanta enjoyed a 15-point lead at intermission, 63-48. Smith tallied 20, Bibby had 11 to go along with 10 assists, while Josh Childress tallied 10 off the bench.
• The Hawks made .622 of their first half shots, and dominated the Clippers on points in the paint, 38-18, and fastbreak points, 24-8.
• Bibby reached a milestone in the first quarter when he made the 1000th three-pointer of his career at the 2:23 mark.
• Atlanta embarks on a three-game road trip starting Sunday in New York at 6 pm (790 AM, FSN). The Hawks make a stop in Washington (Monday) and New Jersey (Wednesday) before returning home to face Orlando next Friday (3-22).

Photo Of The Night

Afro Power!

What You Really Need To Know
The Hawks got a much-needed confidence boost by blowing out the Clippers, seizing control early on and never letting up. Everyone who played did well, and it was exactly the kind of game the team needed before they head on the road for a crucial three-game road trip. The game finished with no problems, even though it appears a tornado may have ripped through the downtown Atlanta midway through the fourth quarter. Fortunately no one was hurt (to the best of my knowledge), but there was extensive damage in the area several blocks around Philips Arena and Centennial Olympic Park.

Fantasy MVP: Joe Johnson
I wanted to choose Mike Bibby, who had a double-double at the half, but I have to give it to Joe for his 3rd quarter performance. JJ hit 6 threes on his way to 21 points in the stanza, a season-high for a Hawks player in one quarter. He finished the game with 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and a sweet block on Corey Maggette under the basket.

What Went Right

• Mike Bibby was outstanding. He dictated the pace of the game in the first half as the Hawks built their lead, continuously burning the Clippers on the pick-and-roll by finding his teammates for easy baskets. He finished the game with 14 points and 14 assists, good for his fourth double-double as a Hawk.
• Josh Smith dominated in the first half as well, scoring 20 of his 25 before the break on a variety of dunks and layups. In particular, Smoove had an amazing dunk on an alley-oop from Bibby, who tossed the ball from beyond halfcourt to a waiting (in the air, it appeared) Smith for the flush. When Josh gets it going like that, he is pretty much unstoppable.
  
• Josh Childress has an outstanding game as well, doing the things he always does best - getting rebounds and scoring in transition. He had maybe the dunk of the night at the end of the first quarter, crossing over Al Thornton and throwing it down in his face to the delight of the crowd. Chills finished the night with an efficient 14 points and 9 rebounds.

• The only thing that could have gone better was for the city of Atlanta to avoid the severe weather that pelted downtown and appears to have caused significant damage to several hotels and buildings. As of this writing, there is no confirmation on the extent of the damage to Philips Arena, but it appears there may be damage to the roof. The Hawks and Thrashers are both on the road for the next week, so hopefully there won't be any issues for the teams before they return home next weekend. Meanwhile, our thoughts and prayers are with anyone who was affected by the weather, and we hope everyone at the game was able to return home safely.
  

What did you think of the game? Send us an email and we'll pick the best one and post it here the morning after the game.