Official Game Thread: Hawks at Rockets

[lethalweapon3]

“Houston, we have… a Solution!”

 

Steph Curry decided playtime was over. With Eric Gordon approaching in a hands-down defensive posture, Curry hoisted another of his patented, absurd three-point shots that had the touch, the feel of cotton on its trajectory down. Curry offers his lullaby pose to the Houston Rockets crowd in the aftermath of the game-sealing shot, his Warriors winning 127-120 to gain their first road victory of the season.

That defeat for the Rockets, dropping them to a league-worst 3-14, was on Sunday night. It was their last game, too, before tonight’s versus the Hawks at Toyota Center (8 PM Eastern, Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, AT&T SportsNet in HTX).

If they chose, Houston could have kicked back and scouted the Hawks’ loss on Monday in Cleveland, and Wednesday’s bounce back win here at State Farm Arena over Sacramento, just to prepare. They could have enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast, then get in line for the Black Friday free-for-alls at Galleria, while awaiting the Hawks’ arrival.

Coach Stephen Silas’ crew has had a lot going on since dropping the season-opener, 117-107 in Atlanta. Questions abound whether their spryer leading scorer Jalen Green (probable, sore toe) should subsume more of the ball-handling duties currently shared with Kevin Porter, Jr. Another Junior, rookie Jabari Smith is shooting just 33.3 percent from the field in his first 16 starts, feeling the outside pressure to keep pace with the league’s top pick in Orlando.

Another Junior, Kenyon Martin had been feeling crowded out in a rotation that includes Jae’Sean Tate (out, sore ankle) and rookie Tari Eason. Former Hawk backup big Bruno Fernando (questionable, sore knee) is back and getting up to speed after suffering an injury in just his second game of the season, his extended absence upping the burden on Alperen Sengun (doubtful, strained groin) to keep the restricted area restricted. A former sixth-man stalwart now averaging over 30 MPG, the 34-year-old Gordon is trying to keep himself upright, and his bags packed, as trade season approaches.

The upshot for the Hawks, though, is these are amazingly well-rested players they’re facing, one in the middle of a four-game homestand, despite the varied injuries and aggravations. Just before Houston’s home stretch began, they were up the road in Dallas, knocking off a Mavericks team that thought it safe enough to DNP-Rest Luka Doncic.

It’s always fun to watch Rayford T. Young remind everyone why he is Trae M.F. Young, and he did that on Wednesday with 35 points (9-for-9 FTs, 4-for-5 second-half 3FGs) to help the Hawks (11-7) stiff-arm Sacramento. It is still important for his fellow starters (combined 18-for-50 FGs vs. SAC) to get going on the offensive end.

Dejounte Murray and the Hawks can recover in transition by exploiting Houston, the league’s most turnover-prone team (NBA-highs of 17.6 TOs/game, 22.9 opponent points per-48 off TOs). Neutralizing the Rockets (NBA-high 33.6 O-Reb%) further will require Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu and John Collins limiting the hosts to one-and-done possessions, then getting out on the fastbreak for quality setups by the guards.

Usually, Houston is no Freddy Krueger on the court. But on this night, with or without the tryptophan, they will be as fresh and rested as they’ve been all season long. Whatever you do, Atlanta, don’t fall asleep!

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[Alf]

Houston has been awful this season and we should win no worries. But this is the Hawks we are talking about and nothing ever comes easy. Just turn them over, keep out of foul trouble, and execute and we should be just fine.

Hawks 104, Rockets 90

[TheNorthCydeRises]

14 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

 

Another Junior, Kenyon Martin had been feeling crowded out in a rotation that includes Jae’Sean Tate (out, sore ankle) and rookie Tari Eason. Former Hawk backup big Bruno Fernando (questionable, sore knee) is back and getting up to speed after suffering an injury in just his second game of the season, his extended absence upping the burden on Alperen Sengun (doubtful, strained groin) to keep the restricted area restricted. 

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

 

You can rest one more night big fella.  I don't need you messing up what we have going on right now in ATL.  Rest up, and we'll face you again next season.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

7 minutes ago, Alf said:

Houston has been awful this season and we should win no worries. But this is the Hawks we are talking about and nothing ever comes easy. Just turn them over, keep out of foul trouble, and execute and we should be just fine.

Hawks 104, Rockets 90

Houston's 3 wins were against Utah, Orlando, and Dallas

No nights off in the NBA.  Especially with that team.  While they're known for not playing a lick of defense, they're also known for getting hot from 3 every blue moon.   They got us last year when they made about 20 threes and DJ Augustin killing us from deep.

[Spud2nique]

28 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

It’s always fun to watch Rayford T. Young remind everyone why he is Trae M.F. Young,

Yes sir!

Nice work lw3! 
 

Vegas got Hawks by 7.5
 

GO HAWKS!!!

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[Gray Mule]

Hawks currently winning every other game.  Don't go to sleep on this team.  If you do, it will be a sad ride back home.

[Spud2nique]

2K Hawks by 21! That’s a special number to all of us. And we kept the under  

32 boards between JC & Cap

18 dimes between Trae & DM

DM 7 steals!

 

[nathan2331]

45 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

 

 

 

 

Dang even in 2K we can't make threes.

Edited November 25, 2022 by nathan2331

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[Gray Mule]

A tooth Hurting can be terrible.  I know.  Lost all my teeth and got "slip-ins" in 1960.

[terrell]

5 hours ago, Alf said:

Houston has been awful this season and we should win no worries. But this is the Hawks we are talking about and nothing ever comes easy. Just turn them over, keep out of foul trouble, and execute and we should be just fine.

Hawks 104, Rockets 90

Utah, Orlando, and  Dallas(without Luka) disagrees.. lol

[terrell]

41 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

 

So in other words they might rest CC..

[terrell]

50 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

 

We should be able to beat Houston without Capela right?  Let OO prove he can hold it down without getting into foul trouble.. Sengun or whoever might have a career night.. But still.. lol

[TheNorthCydeRises]

2 hours ago, Spud2nique said:

2K Hawks by 21! That’s a special number to all of us. And we kept the under  

32 boards between JC & Cap

18 dimes between Trae & DM

DM 7 steals!

 

 

Murray's statline is crazy

 

[benhillboy]

59 minutes ago, terrell said:

We should be able to beat Houston without Capela right?  Let OO prove he can hold it down without getting into foul trouble.. Sengun or whoever might have a career night.. But still.. lol

Sengun is a Game time decision, hopefully he doesn’t go.  I don’t like the prospects of OO nor John keeping him off the glass.

This was a schedule win before Clint was ruled out.  If I’m him I’d rather tell the team just list me out for “rest” rather than “dental pain” lol.

Edited November 25, 2022 by benhillboy

[cam1218]

36 minutes ago, benhillboy said:

If I’m him I’d rather tell the team just list me out for “rest” rather than “dental pain” lol.

Seriously, they get so detailed about stuff lol. If I was somebody in the media I’d be sure to ask the important questions. Cavities or a root canal? What tooth number is it? Was it Thanksgiving dessert related? 

[NBASupes]

Clint and Bogi out

[JayBirdHawk]

 

How many minutes will Frank get?

[benhillboy]

Sengun is out too we good.  That boy was gonna have 15 and 12 with Clint out no question.

Edited November 26, 2022 by benhillboy