"For a while Jamal Crawford's hot shooting was about the only thing working for the Hawks against the Clippers.

When Los Angeles threatened to run away in the third quarter, Crawford scored nine consecutive points to keep Atlanta afloat. But when the Hawks and Clippers were locked in a tight game in the fourth quarter, Crawford retreated to the background.

That prompted teammate Damien Wilkins to urge Crawford to step forward.

"Don't disappear out there," Wilkins told Crawford. "You are the reason we are in this game. Don't defer now."

So Crawford went back to dominating.

He pump-faked Eric Gordon to draw a foul on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws. He stole the ball and passed to Josh Smith in the corner for a 3-pointer. Crawford made a 17-foot jump shot and set up Mike Bibby for a 3-pointer.

Just like that the Hawks were in control. Crawford either scored or assisted on 11 of Atlanta's 21 points during the decisive run.

"Jamal was Jamal," Hawks coach Larry Drew said after the 107-98 victory.

Crawford had 24 points against Los Angeles while making 7 of 13 shots and 8 of 9 free throws. He was similarly efficient against the Thunder on Friday, scoring 26 points with 8 of 15 shooting on field goals and 7 of 7 on free throws.

In both games Crawford had the kind of offensive bursts that have defined his 11-year career and earned him the Sixth Man Award last season. But that's been missing for long stretches of this season as Crawford has tried to fit in and stay healthy.

Crawford 's strength is handling the ball and attacking on isolation plays and pick-and-rolls, but he has had to play off the ball more in Drew's motion sets. Crawford lately seems savvier with picking his spots to be aggressive."