The Atlanta Hawks were reeling a bit as the Los Angeles Clippers seemed to make a bunch of adjustments at the half. Instead of busting inside to start the frame, they went outside and started draining threes. But back came the Hawks.
Al Horford lit the match with an innocent little tip in and Josh Smith set the fire with an electrifying dunk from Joe Johnson as the Hawks poured in 25 of the final 31 points in the frame to take a double-digit lead into the final 12 minutes.
Jamal Crawford was a one-man snow in the final minute of the period, draining a pair of 3-pointers before finishing the frame with an emphatic dunk to post Atlanta to a 79-67 lead through three. Crawford had 16 of his 27 points in the frame.
Horford has 19 points and Johnson 17 for Atlanta, which looks to sweep the season set from the Clippers.
While Blake Griffin will record a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds through three periods, he has been relatively held in check by the home team.
Things are looking good for Atlanta to finish off Los Angeles and notch yet another home win.