Clippers vs Hawks: Game Thread – Kyle Korver expected to play

Jeff Teague had 19 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds in the second-and-final meeting against the Clippers last season — Nov. 24, 2012 (Scott Cunningham/NBA/Getty Images)

Game Preview:

Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver has been nursing a rib contusion but is listed as “probable” for tonight’s home game against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.

Korver has missed the past four games with a rib contusion after getting injured during a home game versus the Orlando Magic back on November 26th.

However, it seems as if Korver’s brief injury stint is over with as Hawks beat writer Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that the 11-year pro says he expects to play tonight. Vivalmore also quoted Korver as saying “I have ice on my knees not my ribs” earlier today after a team shootaround.

Korver was in the midst of a historic 3-point streak and was only one game away from tying Dana Barros’ all-time record of 89 consecutive games with a made 3-pointer when he got sidelined. He was on pace to tie the record on Thanksgiving Eve in Houston, and then break the record at home on November 29 versus Dallas.

Since Korver did not play any minutes in the last four games since extending his streak to 88 straight games with a made 3-pointer, his streak is still active.

Hopefully Korver has fully recovered from his rib contusion so that way he’ll be able to knock down 3’s per usual and tie the NBA record for most consecutive games played with a made 3-pointer tonight at home against the Clippers.

UPDATE — 

Quick Facts

Who?: Los Angeles Clippers vs Atlanta Hawks

What?: Korver’s Return (Game #20, Home Game #9)

Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)

When?: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 – 7:30 PM (ET)

How?: SportSouth HDTV / 92.9 FM “The Game”

Probable Starters

Atlanta Hawks: 

PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Kyle Korver | SF: DeMarre Carroll | PF: Paul Millsap | C: Al Horford

Los Angeles Clippers:

PG: Chris Paul | SG: Willie Green | SF: Jared Dudley | PF: Blake Griffin | C: DeAndre Jordan

Injury Report 

Atlanta Hawks: Kyle Korver (rib contusion) is probable.

Los Angeles Clippers: Matt Barnes (retinal tear left eye), J.J. Redick (fractured right hand) and Maalik Wayns (torn meniscus left knee) are out.

Current Records, Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold Records

Los Angeles Clippers (12-6) / Atlanta Hawks (9-10)

Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Lost 2 | HOME: Won 1 | ROAD: Lost 3                              Los Angeles Clippers –> OVERALL: Lost 1 | HOME: Lost 1 | ROAD: Won 1

Home/Away Records: Hawks are (5-3) at home / Clippers are (4-4) on the road.

Atlanta Hawks: Cold. The Hawks are in danger of losing their third game in a row, and have already lost their last five of six overall.

Los Angeles Clippers: Lukewarm. The Clippers just had a four-game winning streak snapped, but that was to the East-leading Indiana Pacers. They averaged a margin of 14.8 points a victory during their four-game streak.

Season/Past Season Series 

The Hawks welcome the Clippers to Philips Arena for their only meeting in Atlanta this season. The clubs will square off for the second-and-final time on 3/8 in Los Angeles. The teams split the 2012-13 series 1-1, with the Hawks winning the series finale 104-93 in Atlanta on 11/24/12. The Clippers’ last win at Philips Arena came on 2/7/09 (121-97). Atlanta owns a 72-38 lead in the all-time series, including a 42-13 edge at home.

Common Threads

Elton Brand wore a Clippers uniform from 2001-08. Assistant Coach Jim Thomas played six games for Los Angeles in 1985-86. Doc Rivers played for Atlanta from 1983-91 and is the club’s all-time leader in assists (3,866). Clippers Assistant Coach Armond Hill served in the same capacity with the Hawks in 2003-04 and is a former Hawk (six seasons). Clippers Assistant Coach Tyronn Lue was a Hawk from 2004-08 (189 games). Jamal Crawford played for Atlanta from 2009-11, winning the NBA’s Sixth Man Award in 2009-10. Willie Green saw action in 53 games for the Hawks in 2011-12. Kyle Korver, Lou Williams, Matt Barnes and Green teamed-up in Philadelphia in 2005-06. Brand, Jared Cunningham and Darren Collison all played together with Dallas last season. Brand and Crawford were teammates in Chicago in 2000-01. Ryan Hollins and Cartier Martin both played for the Bobcats in 2008-09. Gustavo Ayon and J.J. Redick were teammates in Orlando last season before being traded together to Milwaukee.

Information provided from the Hawks and Clippers official gamenotes.

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