CLIPPERS CAN'T SLOW RIDER : ATLANTA 99, CLIPPERS 81.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. With Jim Jackson sidelined and Atlanta down to 10 active players, Isaiah Rider Isaiah Rider, Jr., sometimes known as J.R. Rider (born March 12, 1971 in Oakland, California) is an American former NBA basketball player, who played from 1993–2001. The 6'5" (1. carried the Hawks on Wednesday night. Rider scored a season-high 38 points as Atlanta extended its winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" to five games with a 99-81 win over the Clippers. ``Some of the guys came to me and said, `We need a big night out of you tonight,' '' said Rider, who also had nine rebounds and seven assists. ``And I started being more aggressive and more assertive.'' Dikembe Mutombo Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens Leonard Randolph "Lenny" Wilkens (born October 28 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.) is an American former National Basketball Association player and coach, as well as the NBA's career leader in coaching win-loss totals. has watched Rider blossom since the seventh-year guard was suspended for one game for missing a Nov. 15 practice. In going 18 of 29 from the field, Rider topped the 30-point mark for the third straight game and increased his team-high scoring average to 22.6. ``J.R. was incredible tonight,'' Wilkens said. ``He's going to do more. He was patient tonight. He took over when he had to. He tried to get other guys involved.'' The Clippers, who lost their seventh straight overall and 10th in a row to Atlanta, got 17 points and a career-high 20 rebounds from Michael Olowokandi Michael Olowokandi (born April 3 1975 in Lagos, Nigeria), nicknamed The Kandi Man is a Nigerian professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He currently is a free agent. . Maurice Taylor Maurice De Shawn Taylor (born October 30, 1976 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player at the power forward position. He was most recently with the NBA's Sacramento Kings, released on January 23, 2007. scored 22 points, and Lamar Odom added 16 for L.A. The Hawks dominated the defensive boards 38-14. ``We have to focus on defense and getting the job done on the defensive boards,'' Odom said. Rider's effort was timely because Jackson (knee problems) and Roshown McLeod (strained groin) were ailing. Jackson is the Hawks' second-leading scorer with a 15.6 average. ``If you move to the open area, you're going to get the jump shot every time,'' Rider said. ``I think the guys are working well with me.'' The Clippers, who never led after Odom's basket made it 58-57 midway through the third quarter, haven't won since Nov. 23. CAPTION(S): chart CHART: Game recap |
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