Peachtree Hoops: Hawks hit rock bottom with 158-111 drubbing in Houston

[Hawksquawk]

Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks made their way to Houston for the second half of a back to back with the Rockets. Cam Reddish joined John Collins and Kevin Huerter on the list inactives for Atlanta, as Allen Crabbe drew the start in Reddish’s absence.

The first quarter got off to a nice start as Crabbe hit a three pointer on the Hawks’ opening possession, but things quickly went downhill from there.

The Hawks were within four with seven minutes to go before Houston rattled off a 19-7 run over the next six minutes. Then, Russell Westbrook capped off the rough quarter with a three pointer just before the first quarter ended to put the Rockets up 38-21.

Jabari Parker had a couple nice stretches in the first, but overall, the Hawks just seemed clearly outmatched.

Last second hooks pic.twitter.com/ZHfWU6eJUO

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 1, 2019

The second quarter continued the decent for Atlanta as the Rockets stretched their lead to as many as 31 points.

The positives for the Hawks were few, but Alex Len had a nice stretch which continued his good play from Friday night when he was clearly the best center on this roster.

Go to work, Alex ️ pic.twitter.com/ibouh4Z31g

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 1, 2019

When all was said and done, the Hawks found themselves on the way to a record night in all the wrong ways at halftime, as they were down 83-52 going into the break.

The third quarter was when it all really went full apocalypse mode as the Rockets just completely detonated the Hawks. This attack was led by James Harden, who had a phenomenal night that ended after the third period. At that point, Harden had scored 60 points on just 24 shot and that speaks for itself.

The Hawks mustered just 21 points in the third quarter, while the Rockets piled up 46 to stretch their lead to nearly 60 points at one time. It really was a night to forget for Atlanta as once again the only player to really do anything offensively was Trae Young who piled up 25 points headed into the fourth.

At the end of three, with Harden still inexplicably on the floor, Atlanta was down 127-73 (not a misprint).

Young remained in the game for the beginning of the fourth quarter — presumably in an attempt to make the game at least somewhat respectable — and he obliged by scoring eight quick points in the opening four minutes.

As the game wound down, Young came out of the game after amassing 37 points and seven assists.

The Rockets passed the 150-point mark late in the fourth to secure the second-highest point total allowed in a regulation game in franchise history. Houston eventually went on to set the record by scoring their 158th point, which surpassed a game in 1969 where the Hawks allowed 156 to the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings).

Tonight was the definition of a game the Hawks will soon want to forget. Atlanta will be back at it on Monday night against the Golden State Warriors at home.

Stay tuned.

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