LAST NIGHT IN THE NBA

CLIPPERS at HAWKS:

Elton Brand scored 23 points and Sam Cassell added 21 as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the winless Atlanta Hawks 102- 95 for their best start after six games in 20 years. The Clippers, in first place in the Pacific Division, are 5- 1 for the first time since the 1985- 86 season. The Hawks, meanwhile, have lost their first five games for the first time since the 2000- 01 season, when they started 0- 7. The Clippers also beat the Hawks 92- 77 Saturday in Los Angeles and have six straight wins in the series.

Corey Maggette, playing in his second game since returning from a strained left hamstring, added 17 points in only 25 minutes for the Clippers. The Hawks were held to 41 per cent shooting from the field, including 1- for- 9 on three- point attempts. The Clippers made 48 per cent of their shots.

Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 24 points and set a season high with 10 rebounds. Zaza Pachulia also had a double- double with 16 points, 13 rebounds and a team- leading six assists.

Al Harrington added 14 points and rookie Marvin Williams had 12. The Clippers’ biggest lead of the first half was 39- 29. The Clippers maintained the lead but couldn’t pull away.

After leading 75- 69 at the end of the third quarter, the Clippers’ biggest lead in the final period was 12 points. Brand had seven rebounds, missing a chance to set a franchise record with his 182nd doublewith the Clippers. Brand shares the mark with Loy Vaught.