Red-Hot Rockets Head to Atlanta for Matchup with Hawks
Third Stop. Makeup Game. Lingering Questions.
Houston makes stop three on this four-game road trip, as they visit Atlanta for a Tuesday night tilt with the Haws. The red-hot Rockets are playing their best basketball of the season, winners of three straight and nine of their last eleven games overall. Houston’s coming off an impressive road victory in Boston last night sealed by an Amen Thompson game-winning floater. Meanwhile, the Hawks are reeling, having lost their last five games, as Atlanta tries to stay in the playoff mix in the Eastern Conference.
Tonight’s contest is actually a makeup game from a matchup that was postponed back on MLK Day due to inclement weather in Atlanta. Trae Young didn’t play in last night’s game for the Hawks, and he enters this match with a questionable tag. Jalen Johnson will also be out for the Hawks tonight with an injury. After returning for a few games, Tari Eason is back on the injury report for the Rockets. Hopefully it’s just a cautionary move by Head Coach Ime Udoka, as this is the second of a back-to-back for Houston, and their third game in the last four nights.
Regardless if Young plays or not, the Rockets have should beat this Hawks team. Houston’s recent three game resume is as impressive as they come, with consecutive wins over the east-leading Cavs followed by a victory over the defending champs in Boston. Tonight is still the second part of a back-to-back, and the Rockets are the road team. But considering Atlanta also played last night, Houston has no excuses as to why they shouldn’t conquer this inferior Hawks team in the ATL.
Besides Eason, Cam Whitmore will be missing his second straight game tongight, due to an illness he caught during the first game against the Cavaliers. Expect to see more of Jae’Sean Tate, Steven Adams, Aaron Holiday, and other members of Houston’s Stay Ready Crew with the Rockets slightly undermanned entering this matchup. Tonight marks the first game between Houston and Atlanta this season. The Rockets will aim to keep their recent momentum rolling… as they try and push their win streak to four with a victory over the reeling Hawks on Tuesday night.
State Farm Arena: Atlanta, Georgia
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (31-14): Black
Atlanta Hawks (22-24): White
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass