Hawks Help Clippers Find Their Way on the Road

While the Clippers were relieved after a rare road victory, the woeful Atlanta Hawks were challenged by their frustrated coach.

Elton Brand scored a season-high 33 points to help the Clippers win for only the second time on the road in two months, 111-91, on Sunday night.

The Clippers won on the road for only the second time since winning at Memphis on Feb. 3. Their only other “road” victory during that stretch was against the Lakers on March 8. They are 25-13 at home and 8-28 on the road.

But the Clippers were eliminated from playoff contention because Memphis defeated the Lakers on Sunday.

“Right now we’re out of the playoff picture,” said Corey Maggette, who scored 25 points in his return after sitting out one game because of a bruised lower back. “Right now this is our opportunity to play as hard as we can the last nine games and prepare for next [season].”

Chris Wilcox scored 22 points for the Clippers, who were without their third-leading scorer, Bobby Simmons, and starting center Chris Kaman, who were held out because of injuries.

Even so, the Clippers flourished against the defensively challenged Hawks, who have given up 100 points or more to 13 consecutive opponents.

In scoring 21 first-half points, Brand made 10 of 11 shots from the field. He was 13 for 18 from the field overall.

The Clippers took an 88-65 lead late in the third period, but the Hawks cut the deficit to 91-82 with six minutes left when NBA slam dunk winner Josh Smith stole the ball from Marko Jaric and scored on a reverse jam.

Wilcox answered with a hook shot for the Clippers, who kept the lead in double figures the rest of the game.

Rookie Josh Childress scored 23 points for Atlanta, which lost its 12th game in a row and 25th of 26.

“We’re going to have to go back to the drawing board,” Coach Mike Woodson said. “We’re giving up too many points in bunches too fast. Their interior players just kicked our butt tonight.”

Starting forward Al Harrington scored a season-low three points for the Hawks and had two rebounds in 26 minutes, and starting center Obinna Ekezie was scoreless. He played only eight minutes.

“Our starters were just awful,” Woodson said. “Al and Ekezie didn’t do the job.”

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Backup center Zeljko Rebraca was put on the injured list by the Clippers because of a sprained right wrist and won’t be eligible to return before April 15.

Mamadou N’Diaye, who had played in only five games this season, replaced him on the active roster.