(Best E Casino) - A pair of struggling teams will take to the hardwood tonight at Atlanta's Philips Arena, where the Hawks hope to boost their playoff chances in a meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Atlanta sits just one-half game back of New Jersey in the race for the eighth and final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference, but the club hasn't looked playoff-caliber as of late. The Hawks are just 4-14 since February 8 and have dropped six of seven games to begin the month of March.

The latest setback came at the hands of the scorching Houston Rockets, who posted an 83-75 triumph over the Hawks on Wednesday to extend their win streak to a remarkable 20 consecutive games.

The loss spoiled a 16-point, 22-rebound effort from Atlanta's Josh Smith, while teammate Joe Johnson poured in 28 points in defeat.

Los Angeles comes in having lost nine of its last 11 contests and is well out of the Western Conference playoff picture with a 21-42 record. After getting their current five-game road trip off to a good start with Monday's win over Miami, the Clippers were routed by Southeast Division leader Orlando on Wednesday.

Corey Maggette topped Los Angeles with 22 points in his team's 110-82 loss to the Magic. The Clippers also received 17 points each out of Cuttino Mobley and Al Thornton.

Los Angeles played without standout center Chris Kaman for a second straight contest due to a sore lower back. The seven-footer, who is averaging career bests of 16 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, is expected to be a game-time decision this evening.

The Clippers will also visit Washington and Minnesota on their trip and are just 9-20 on the road for the season. Atlanta owns a solid 19-13 record at Philips Arena so far in 2007-08.

Los Angeles has won seven of the last nine meetings between these teams, including a 95-88 decision at the Staples Center in January. The Clippers are 3-1 in Atlanta over that span.