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LA Clippers vs Atlanta Hawks: Can Blake Griffin’s Dominance Continue?

By Ryan Snellings

Jan 23, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives against LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) in the third quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Clippers won 115-105. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives against LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) in the third quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Clippers won 115-105. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz
NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz /

Riding a 3 game winning streak, Blake Griffin and the Clippers return home to face the Atlanta Hawks. Can the Clippers keep this momentum and hold the 4th seed?

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The Clippers won their last game against the Hawks 115-110.

The Flying Lion

Blake Griffin has been unbelievable. (Just look at his focus in the photo above!) He’s been so good that he was named the Western Conference Player of the Week. He averaged 26 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists. The league is finally starting to remember why he finished 3rd in MVP voting just a couple of seasons ago.

RELATED STORY: Blake Griffin named Player of the Week

Blake has a match-up with one of the premier power forwards in the league. Paul Millsap is one of the more forgotten “stars” in the league, but he is still putting together a solid season. Rumors have swirled around him as he is in the last year of his contract, but Atlanta has been adamant that they will not move him. Millsap is a sound defender, so Blake may have to work a little harder.

The Big Men

Both teams feature solid big men in their starting units. The aforementioned match-up between Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap will be interesting, but so should the battle at center between DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard. Howard was at one point considered the best center in the NBA. Now, it’s hard to argue he’s even in the top 10. However, he still is a solid starter and can be helpful on defense.

Both DeAndre and Blake would be best served to attack Howard early and try to get him into foul trouble. The Hawks’ bench big men are not very intimidating and if they have to play early minutes, both DJ and Blake could be in for huge nights.

Hitting it from Deep

J.J. Redick still hasn’t found his stroke. If he can get open and hit his shot, the Hawks won’t be able to match. They sit 25th in the league in three point percentage and that’s including more than half their season with Kyle Korver on the roster.

Mo Speights also looks to continue his streak of games with at least one three pointer being made. Currently, the streak stands at 28. Jamal Crawford, who won a 6th Man of the Year award with Atlanta, also should look to find his shot from 3. The Clippers could put the Hawks away quickly if shots begin to drop.

Check back in the morning for our recap of the game!

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