Hawks stay hot, edge Clippers for 5th straight win

The Atlanta Hawks are putting the NBA on notice. They're for real.

The Hawks held off the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, 107-104, to capture their fifth straight victory and 14th in their last 15 games. Most impressive, these last five wins have all come against stellar opponents, with triumphs over the Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls now under their belts.

DeMarre Carroll led the way on Tuesday with 25 points and 10 rebounds, Al Horford added 20 points, and Paul Millsap flirted with a triple-double, pouring in 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Jeff Teague, who had missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, returned to the lineup in a bench capacity, chipping in nine points and six assists in just under 24 minutes of action.

The win moves the Hawks (21-7) within a half-game of the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors (22-7).

Blake Griffin nearly recorded a triple-double himself, posting 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while DeAndre Jordan pulled down 22 rebounds to go with his 15 points.