Frustrated Gomes: 'I don't cause problems'

Ryan Gomes knows the truth when he gets to the arena. "I ain't providing anything whether we win or lose," he said. "It's frustrating." He has hasn't played in the last 19 games, but he hasn't let it become a distraction in the locker room. "I think a lot of my character has shown this season," Gomes said. "I put the team before me. I don't cause any problems, and I fully support my teammates. But it is a tough pill to swallow." Gomes has one year left on his contract after this season, and he's not sure whether he'll be back with the team. "That's management's decision," he said. "It's in their hands." NOTES, QUOTES Jump shots lead to season-high 36 points for Griffin --For a lot of the season, Blake Griffin's scoring has been more about efficiency than volume. Tuesday in Atlanta, Griffin did both. He notched a season high with 36 points, making 17 of 23 shots from the field. "The jump shots Blake Griffin got tonight were just shots he gets," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Tonight he made a few." Griffin's improving jumper hasn't forced teams to guard hum aggressively on the perimeter yet, but as he adds that to his arsenal, defenders will have to play him more honestly. Despite Griffin's offensive prowess, the Clippers still couldn't get the win. "Our effort could have been better. We just have to forget about it and turn around and get a win tomorrow," Griffin said. "No matter the situation heading into tomorrow night, we're going to play to win." --The Clippers' magic number remains at one. For them to have home-court advantage in the first round, the Clippers have to win at New York Wednesday or wait and see if Memphis loses at home to Orlando. Either way, the Clippers will face the Grizzlies in the first round. QUOTE TO NOTE: "We forced some things and turned the ball over too many times. They have too many weapons for us to do that and win." -- Del Negro on his team's performance against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. ROSTER REPORT PLAYER NOTES: --F Caron Butler returned to the starting lineup after bruising his hip against the Hornets on Sunday. Butler was the Clippers' third-leading scorer, finishing with nine points. --G Chris Paul hit 10-of-20 from the field on his way to a 34-point outing. Paul filled the rest of the stat sheet, dishing out eight assists, grabbing five rebounds and picking up two steals in the loss to Atlanta. --F Blake Griffin was incredibly efficient from the field, making 17 of 23 shots. Griffin's 36 points were a season high. --G Randy Foye has been critical in the Clippers' run to the playoffs. But Tuesday at Atlanta, Foye missed all three of his shots in a scoreless 20 minutes. MEDICAL WATCH: --F Caron Butler (left hip contusion) left Sunday's game after the first quarter after falling into a row of cameras. Butler returned to the starting lineup Tuesday. --G Nick Young (flu-like symptoms) was sent home prior to Sunday's game. Young played 16 minutes off the bench Tuesday at Atlanta.