Atlanta Hawks: Rockets 123, Hawks 104 (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Houston.
James Harden killed the Hawks again.
The Rockets guard scored a game-high 28 points en route to a 123-104 victory over the Hawks Monday night at the Toyota Center. It was Harden, you’ll remember, who poured in 45 points in a Rockets victory in the Hawks’ season-opener. That’s two games and 73 points.
Harden had 11 third-quarter points as the Hawks tried to come back from a 21-point deficit. It was the 13th consecutive 20-plus point game for Harden, a career-best.
“Not quite the way I wanted to finish 2012,” coach Larry Drew said. “I have to give credit where credit is due. This team is very hard for us to match up against. The fact is that they do such a phenomenal job off the dribble. We have a hard time defending this team off the dribble. They have four guys the starting lineup that can all make 3s, are all good coming off the dribble.”
The Hawks (19-10) had their four-game win streak snapped.
Lou Williams led the Hawks with 21 points. Al Horford added 18 points, including eight of the Hawks’ first 12, and 13 rebounds. Josh Smith returned after missing a game with a hip injury with 17 points. John Jenkins had 15 points, the second straight game the rookie has set a career-high in points.
The Rockets (17-14) had their two-game losing streak snapped. Carlos Delfino came off the bench with a season-high 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Jeremy Lin added 16 points. The Rockets scored a total of 48 points in the paint.
In all, the Rockets shot 55.2 percent (16 of 29) from 3-point range.
“We just had a hard time stopping them,” Kyle Korver said. “We tried a few different things on defense but they score a lot of points in transition and we didn’t get back well enough. They shot the ball extremely well. They made a lot of 3s and stretched us out and the pick-and-roll is even harder to guard. We just gave up too many things.”
The Hawks closed to within five points, 102-97, with 5:21 remaining on a Jenkins 3-pointer. Delfino then scored five straight points and Harden added a three-point play, with a shimmy following the foul, to put the game out of reach. It was part of a 21-7 Rockets’ run to end the game.
The Hawks made the run with four starters – Williams, Korver, Smith and Horford – on the bench. Drew said he briefly considered bring the unit back after the game became close.
“I was going to ride those guys because they were playing so well,” Drew said.
The Rockets built a 21-point lead in the second quarter with a 16-0 run. The streak included four 3-pointers – three straight to start the run. Drew elected not to use a timeout for the entire 3:48 that the Hawks failed to score.
“I had considered it but I chose not to do it,” Drew said of using a timeout. “I chose for our guys just to play through it. We have to get to the point where we can handle those type of situations. I had some starters in the game and there are going to be times where they are going to have to regroup without a timeout being called. At that time, I elected not to call a timeout.”
The Hawks shot just 29.4 percent (7 of 24) in the second quarter. Their one-point first-quarter lead turned into an 18-point halftime deficit of 64-46. Harden had 14 first-half points for the Rockets as Lin chipped in with 11 points and Omer Asik had 12 rebounds. Asik finished with 17 boards.
The Hawks cut deep into the Rockets lead in the third quarter and trailed by only eight points, 81-73. Williams scored 15 points in the quarter. However, the Rockets answered with a 9-0 run to regain control.
“Nights like this happen where you throw up a dud and sometimes the other team is just better than you and you have to get over it and get ready for the next one,” Williams said.
The Hawks complete a stretch of four games in four cities in five days Tuesday at New Orleans.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Harris, Morrow not on trip to Houston
* Williams wants to remain starter
* Drew acknowledges Smith’s ‘poor shot selection’ late vs. Pistons
* Johnson doubtful vs. Cavs with stomach illness
* Drew speaks to Teague about energy level
* Hawks 126, Pistons 119 (2OT)
* Williams remains in starting lineup
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106 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
January 1st, 2013
5:46 pm
ASTRO JOE(FPB)-To answer your question, I would expect LDrew to learn from his mistakes and not repeat the same stupid mistake with Jenkins that he made with Teague. I would expect him to at least give the kid a chance to show what he can or can’t do.
I’d certainly expect Drew to play Jenkins early and give him an honest chance to show whether he’s ready, not use his rookie status as his reasoning for believing he’s not ready. I believe we’ve had enough of ignoring or cutting our draft picks in favor of filling the roster with minimum contract, over the hill vets. There’s no future in it.
So essentially what you are saying is that unless YOU can see that a player isn’t yet ready for playing time, you believe that a player is worthy of playing time. I explained how the GM could make that determination based on the access he has and you completely ignored that and essentially came back to your personal ability to evaluate players.
Strickland, let me ask you this question, is Dominique Davis getting good development as a back-up QB for the Falcons (since we last saw him in August)?
vava74
January 1st, 2013
6:34 pm
I just watched the 4th quarter and frankly, I think that there is no reason to feel particularly bad.
Delfino was hitting everything. His 3s were backbreakers.
Also, when we got within 5 LD should have gone with Teague, Lou, Josh, Al and Zaza. The job by the reserves was done.
McHale went with Harden and Asik and killed the game whilst LD just sat there and watched.
vava74
January 1st, 2013
6:35 pm
Just about everyone on the Rockets team was hitting their shots. The Rockets broadcasting team even said so.
cb
January 1st, 2013
6:57 pm
All the Hawks need to do is trade Devin Harris and a second round pick to the Sun for Michael Beasley. Then trade Deshawn Stevenson to the Kings for Jimmer Fredette. Thats all.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 1st, 2013
7:10 pm
“Topic of Debate – Josh Smith aka the “Smoove”: Should he stay or should he go?”
The Hawks need to be trying to acquire a legit #1 option who makes them a title contender. If trading Josh makes that happen, they should trade him. If they can do so without trading Josh, then they should keep him. The focus shouldn’t be on whether Josh stays or goes; it should be on what is the best and quickest way to get a superstar or two on this team. Josh would be an excellent complementary piece to keep around, but if they have to get rid of him to get to the next level they should do it.
High-sider
January 1st, 2013
7:18 pm
My post @5:13pm (dated 01/01/2013) was written in jest.