Clippers, Hawks Hope to Continue Successful Runs

The Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks carry lengthy winning streaks into tonight's NBA schedule.

The Clippers will try to run their winning streak into double digits when they visit the Washington Wizards tonight. Clippers power forward Blake Griffin is fifth in the league in scoring, center DeAndre Jordan is No. 1 in rebounding and guard Chris Paul is fourth in assists.

The Clippers own the NBA's second-best road winning percentage after winning eight of their first 10 games away from Los Angeles, but the Wizards are 10-2 at Verizon Center and are a half-game off the Eastern Conference lead at 15-6.

The Hawks also own a 15-6 mark, thanks to their longest winning streak in 17 years. Atlanta stretched that streak to eight straight with Wednesday's 15-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Next up for the Hawks are the visiting Orlando Magic, who own a 9-15 mark and are 7-9 on the road.

Also in the NBA tonight, Cleveland is back in action against the Pelicans in New Orleans. The Cavaliers had won eight straight until last night's loss at Oklahoma City. Cleveland hopes to have LeBron James back in the lineup after he sat out last night with a sore knee.

The Thunder have a meeting with the Timberwolves in Minnesota. Oklahoma City has gotten hot since the returns of Kevin Durant and Michael Westbrook, winning four straight and six of seven.

The Portland Trail Blazers are in Chicago to take on the Bulls. The Blazers have won 14 of their last 16 but come off a stunning loss to the Timberwolves in Minnesota.

The Indiana Pacers host the Toronto Raptors, who are trying to hold onto their Eastern Conference lead. The Raptors have struggled since losing DeMar DeRozan to a torn groin, winning just three of their last seven since a 13-2 start.

Charlotte is on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies, who own the NBA's second-best record at 17-4 and come off back-to-back wins. The Hornets have won two straight since a 10-game skid.

New York hauls a 10-game losing streak into tonight's game at Boston. The Knicks are off to the worst 24-game start in team history, dropping 20 of 24 games.

The Detroit Pistons look to shake a 13-game losing streak when they face the Suns in Phoenix. The Pistons' skid is one short of the franchise record set in 1979-80 and tied in 1993-94.

Brooklyn hosts the Philadelphia 76ers, who are a league-worst 2-19 but have split their last four games.

Miami is just 10-12 heading into its game against the Jazz in Utah. The Heat have lost five of their last six and are 1-3 on their five-game road trip.

The Los Angeles Lakers visit the San Antonio Spurs, who have won 11 of 13 after opening the season 5-4.