Clippers end brutal stretch with 107-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks

The Clippers have lost their fifth road game in a row, falling to the Atlanta Hawks, 107-104, on Tuesday evening.

The Hawks went on a 13-2 run at the top of the fourth quarter to turn a two-point deficit into a nine-point advantage, 94-85, with eight minutes and 32 seconds left. The Clippers went on to cut the deficit to two, 104-102, with 18.7 seconds left after J.J. Redick made a driving layup.

Kyle Korver then made two free throws to put the Hawks up, 106-102 with 18.7 seconds remaining. Redick then was fouled on a three-point attempt with 15.2 seconds left, he made two of three free throws to make it a two-point game, 106-104.

Matt Barnes and Korver had a jump ball with 9.5 seconds left, Korver controlled the tip, Al Horford then made one of two free throws to make it a three-point game with 6.4 seconds left.

Blake Griffin shot a three-pointer at the buzzer, but he missed.

The Clippers (19-10) were playing Atlanta (21-7) in their final game of a stretch of four games in five days over four different time zones. On Friday, they lost to the Denver Nuggets, 109-106. On Saturday, they beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-102. And on Monday, they lost to the San Antonio Spurs, 125-118.

Blake Griffin had 21 points, eight rebounds and tied his career-high in assists with 11. Chris Paul had 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick each added 18 points.

The Clippers trailed by as many as 10 points in the second quarter, then went on a 17-0 run to take a 57-50 halftime lead. Crawford sparked that stretch with two quick three-pointers and two free throws in less than a minute. During that run, the Hawks went scoreless for about five minutes and 30 seconds.

In the third quarter, the Clippers led by as many as 13 points before the Hawks went on an 18-9 run, cutting the Clippers’ lead to two points entering the fourth quarter, 83-81.

The Hawks have won 14 of their last 15 games, including winning their last five games. The Clippers have lost three of their last four games.

The Clippers out-rebounded the Hawks, 51-43. The Hawks outshot the Clippers from the field, 44.7% to 40.2%, and from beyond the three-point line, 52.2% to 37.9%. The Clippers also sent the Hawks to the free-throw line 35 times.

The Clippers will now return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Christmas at Staples Center at 7:30 p.m.

Follow Melissa Rohlin on Twitter @melissarohlin