Empty Trip: Rockets Fall Short in 122-113 Loss to Hawks
Jekyll and Hyde. Second Quarter Slump. Three Point Key.
The Rockets closed their road tip with a 122-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. Houston is now in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Dejounte Murray paced the Hawks with 32 points, while Trae Young contributed 18 points for Atlanta. Saddiq Bey and Jalen Johnson combined to score 45 points to torch Houston. Contrary to previous games in this road trip, the Rockets actually held a comfortable 12-point lead after the first period, but they were outscored by 20 points in the second quarter, as the Hawks seized control of the game, ending the first half on a 26-11 run. Jalen Green’s first career triple-double was spoiled in the defeat. Green finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists on the evening. Jeff Green scored a season-high 19 points for Houston, and Aaron Holiday added 18 points on a night that saw contributions across the board from the Rockets’ roster. Amen Thompson had another double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Alperen Sengun’s absence was sorely felt in the first game he missed all season. Sengun is expected to return for Houston’s next game on Monday.
The Jekyll and Hyde Rockets will now return home to Toyota Center to host the Knicks before traveling to face the Grizzlies in the final two games before the All-Star Break. Houston is now a dismal 5-20 on the road, compared to 18-9 at home. Hopefully a return home can get the Rockets back on the winning track. The Knicks are heavily injured, and Houston should have a solid chance to snap their four game skid on Monday night.
A major factor into why the Rockets play so differently at home compared to the road, is the three-point shot. Specifically, the way they shoot the three and defend the opposing team on the perimeter. Opponents are shooting lights out from beyond the arc when Houston plays on the road. And the Rockets are struggling mightily to make threes away from home. At Toyota Center, Houston has been a different team on the perimeter, shooting the ball more efficiently mixed with an intensity upgrade on the defensive end. If the Rockets can revert to this formula, they should be able to put this road trip behind them… and pull off a win in their return home on Monday night.