Peachtree Hoops: Brandon Goodwin leads Hawks to comeback win against Clippers, 102-95

[Hawksquawk]

Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks hosted the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night after losing a wild one Monday afternoon to the Toronto Raptors. The Clippers beat the Mavericks in Dallas last night.

Trae Young (right thigh contusion) was unavailable for the Hawks, while Alex Len (back) returned to the bench on a 20-minute restriction. Jeff Teague started in Young’s place.

With this game being the second of a back-to-back for Los Angeles, star forward Kawhi Leonard was unavailable for the game tonight. Joining him on the Clippers inactive list, Paul George (hamstring) and Patrick Beverly (groin) were also unavailable to play.

Teague to John Collins to kick off the scoring:

The game's first two points, presented by @WakeMBB. pic.twitter.com/ntU9Hx5rf9

— FOX Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnFSSE) January 23, 2020

The Hawks trailed Los Angeles 22-12 eight minutes into play, with the Clippers using an 18-1 run to take the lead after Atlanta got off to an 11-4 start. The Clippers extended the run all the way to 26-1 at one point as the Hawks went nearly eight minutes without a field goal. Yes, eight game minutes. Clippers 32, Hawks 16 after the first.

Atlanta struggled to make up any ground in the second, trailing by at least 14 throughout the quarter. The Clippers dominated both ends of the court as the Hawks struggled (mightily) to score without Young.

Los Angeles kept the pedal down and led 60-41 at the break. Montrezl Harrell led all scorers with 21 points while Collins paced Atlanta with 17.

This is NOT a rookie finish from @camreddish. @tacobell // #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/6is8rhPjtJ

— FOX Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnFSSE) January 23, 2020

Atlanta was hot coming out of the half, with Kevin Huerter powering a 12-1 run with two threes, cutting the deficit to only eight points just 3:33 into the half.

Red Velvet for threeeeee pic.twitter.com/hydC4PvkLj

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 23, 2020

The Hawks kept firing and a three by Teague cut it to seven with 1:40 left in the third. They ended up outscoring the Clippers 28-15 in the third quarter and trailed just 75-69 going to the fourth.

The Hawks hung close in the fourth, cutting it to 90-86 with just 5:25 to go after a three from Brandon Goodwin. Goodwin lobbed to Collins to make it 91-88 moments later, then Collins scored again to make it 91-90 with 4:15 to go.

Goodwin got to the rim for an and-one to give the Hawks a two-point lead with 3:56 remaining.

️ AND ONEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/c4cd3wMncd

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 23, 2020

The Goodwin Show continued as he got fouled on a three-pointer, making all three and giving Atlanta a 96-91 lead with 3:22 to go. De’Andre Hunter hit a three to make it 99-93 in favor of the Hawks with 1:43 remaining.

After a pair of free throws from Lou Williams, the Hawks led 99-95 with 37.4 on the clock. The Clippers were unable to comeback from there as Atlanta pulled out the 102-95 win.

Collins led the Hawks with a season high 33 points to go with 16 rebounds Goodwin added 19 points (all in the fourth) to help seal the win.

Harrell led the Clippers in the loss with 30 points and seven rebounds. Lou Williams added 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

The Hawks travel to Oklahoma City next for a Friday night matchup with Chris Paul and the Thunder.

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