The Hawks fell 120-110 at Houston on Monday, slipping to 2-2 and from third to seventh in the East. Next up is a Wednesday-Thursday home set against the winless Heat and then the Cavaliers.
How Houston Pulled Away
Atlanta led 66-63 at the half and trailed only 95-93 with 9:03 to play. Houston then scored 14 straight in just over two minutes, and a later 8-0 burst pushed the lead to 22. The Hawks scored 19 points in the third quarter and 44 after halftime. Alperen Sengun hurt them at both ends: 29 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and six steals.
The Jumpers Still Aren't Falling
Brad Rowland at Locked On Hawks counted Atlanta at 21-82 from three across seven quarters against Houston. CJ McCollum was the exception, going 4-7 from three on his way to 20 points with four steals. Luguentz Dort went 0-5 and Jalen Johnson 1-5. Johnson still got to 21 points by going 10-12 at the line. The starters outscored the bench 68 to 37, and Dort and Jock Landale were both minus-17.
Miami, Then Cleveland
Erik Spoelstra's Heat come to Atlanta Wednesday at 0-4. Cleveland follows Thursday on NBA TV, and at 2-1 the Cavaliers hold sixth, a half game ahead of the Hawks. Mouhamed Gueye's left foot injury has an estimated return of Nov. 20. Henri Veesaar's right knee keeps him out until next summer. What needs answering this week: will Quin Snyder keep trusting a second unit that got outscored this badly in Houston, or tighten the rotation for the back-to-back?
When do the Hawks play the Heat?
Wednesday, Oct. 28, at home. It starts a back-to-back that ends Thursday against the Cavaliers.
Why did the Hawks lose to the Rockets on Monday?
Houston broke open a 95-93 game with a 14-0 run early in the fourth quarter, and Atlanta scored only 44 points after halftime. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 29.
