Rockets
Hawks Go 13-of-49 From Deep as Rockets Win 121-114
The Houston Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 at State Farm Arena. Houston built a 20-point lead and held on after Atlanta outscored them 33-29 in the fourth. The Rockets are listed at 3-0 and the Hawks at 2-1.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 6 h ago01The story of the nightHouston builds the gap earlyThe Rockets led 30-26 after one quarter and pulled away in the second, outscoring Atlanta 29-22 to go up 59-48 at…
The Rockets led 30-26 after one quarter and pulled away in the second, outscoring Atlanta 29-22 to go up 59-48 at the half. Atlanta cut into that in the third, where both teams scored 33, but the Hawks never got closer than the deficit they started the period with. Houston led 92-81 after three quarters. The Rockets' biggest lead was 20 points. Atlanta's biggest was 7. The game had only 3 lead changes, and Houston controlled most of it from the second quarter on.
02Durant and a deep Rockets rotation lead the wayKevin Durant led Houston with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three and 3-of-3 at the line.
Kevin Durant led Houston with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three and 3-of-3 at the line. Reed Sheppard added 19 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, and was 5-of-11 from deep. Tari Eason scored 19 off the bench. Amen Thompson had 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, and made all 9 of his free throws. Alperen Sengun finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Jabari Smith Jr. had 14 points.
03Johnson fills the box score for AtlantaJalen Johnson had 26 points, 16 assists and 9 rebounds for the Hawks, but shot 8-of-19 from the field.
Jalen Johnson had 26 points, 16 assists and 9 rebounds for the Hawks, but shot 8-of-19 from the field. Dyson Daniels scored 18 on 8-of-11 shooting. Nickeil Alexander-Walker also had 18, with 3 steals, and CJ McCollum added 17. Aaron Wiggins gave Atlanta 16 off the bench on 4-of-9 from three. Onyeka Okongwu had 8 points on 2-of-8 shooting. Jock Landale scored 2 points and committed 5 turnovers in 18.6 minutes.
04Where it was won: threes and free throwsAtlanta won the paint 58-46, the fast break 20-12 and points off turnovers 23-18.
Atlanta won the paint 58-46, the fast break 20-12 and points off turnovers 23-18. It also had 35 assists to Houston's 27. The Hawks still lost because of the perimeter. They made 13 of 49 threes, while Houston made 14 of 35. Houston shot 48.3% overall to Atlanta's 44.8%, and went 21-of-23 at the line to the Hawks' 15-of-21. The Rockets' bench outscored Atlanta's 32-27. Rebounds were close, 55-54 for Houston.
05What it means for both teamsHouston is listed at 3-0 and tops the West, with a 3-game winning streak and a 3-0 mark over its last 10.
Houston is listed at 3-0 and tops the West, with a 3-game winning streak and a 3-0 mark over its last 10. The Rockets won with balanced scoring: six players scored at least 14. Atlanta falls to 2-1 and sits fourth in the East, with a 1-game losing streak. The Hawks' offense produced in the paint and in transition, but the outside shooting did not follow. Their 49 three-point attempts were the main reason they could not erase the early deficit.
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