The Atlanta Hawks continue their four-game road trip Monday, when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Atlanta began its trek Sunday in Los Angeles, where it dropped an 89-76 decision to the Clippers. Josh Smith led the Hawks with 13 points as the team failed to reach the 90-point mark for the third straight contest. Portland is hoping to salvage the finale of its three-game homestand.
The Trail Blazers, who have lost three in a row overall, fell at home to the Clippers on Thursday before dropping a three-point decision to San Antonio two days later. Portland takes a short trip to Sacramento on Tuesday before returning to the Rose Garden for two more contests.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), Comcast SportsNet (Portland)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (2-3): Atlanta had difficulty holding on to the ball Sunday, committing 22 turnovers to Los Angeles' five. The fourth quarter was especially maddening as the Hawks coughed up the ball 10 times and failed to make a field goal for a span of nearly six minutes as the Clippers produced a 15-1 run to take control. "I think we got a little careless with the basketball," said Smith, who had a team-high five turnovers.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (2-4): Portland saw a six-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter turn into an eight-point deficit as San Antonio began the period with a 14-0 run. "They got hot. They were playing small ball all night, which opens up the court," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "One of the things when you play small is, it allows you to score points." Forward Nicolas Batum was 5-of-7 on 3-point attempts and finished with a career high-tying 33 points. His final basket from beyond the arc forged a 109-109 tie.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The all-time series is even at 50 wins apiece, with each club owning a 33-17 record at home.
2. Atlanta was 7-of-16 from the free-throw line Sunday, with Smith missing all four of his attempts. Smith is just 2-of-14 from the line this season.
3. Portland has won 10 of the last 13 meetings between the teams at the Rose Garden, which has been sold out for 195 straight games.
PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 105, Hawks 93.