Rockets Travel to Atlanta, Aim to Shoot Down the Hawks
The Young Problem. Closing Out. The Bounce Back.
After a brutal back-to-back over the weekend, the Rockets travel to Atlanta hoping to snap a two-game losing skid as they face the Hawks. Atlanta was in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, although this season they’ve struggled to maintain consistency. The Hawks sit at 13-13 in the standings, and Atlanta’s lost three of their last four games. Nonetheless, the Rockets still have plenty of problems to address as they head into their third game in four days on Monday night. Houston is still without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. The squad could really use their starting backcourt, but it’s more important Green and KPJ fully recover before they return. The Rockets are also without Danuel House Jr. once again. On Atlanta’s side, the Hawks will be missing De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Regardless, the Birds still have the best player on the court, Trae Young, also Houston’s biggest headache of the night.
The Rockets faced two-time MVP Giannis a couple games back, and have played against plenty of great players. And Trae Young is right up their with the best of them. But opposed to Giannis, who’s a post/transitional threat, as opposed to the perimeter, Young can beat you from anywhere on the court. Especially from long distance. Young’s one of the best young shooters in the game, and has a knack for Steph Curry-like range from beyond the three-point line. The key to tonight’s game will be Houston’s ability to close out on open shooters on the perimeter. Young is one of the best passers in basketball, and he can drive to the basket at-will. So, as double-teams come to help on whoever’s guarding Young, the other Rockets have to hustle on defense to close out on a plethora of deadly Hawk shooters. Specifically, Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams, Cam Reddish, and Danilo Gallinari, all players who will punish Houston if they’re left wide open.
Atlanta also has former-Rocket Clint Capela starting at Center. Capela’s played well since Houston traded him a couple years ago. There’s no doubt Capela wants to have a huge game tonight, and will be highly motivated to get revenge against his former team. John Collins is also one fo the best young power forwards in the game. Houston has trouble to deal with inside and out tonight in Atlanta. Hopefully, a day of rest will give the Rockets the energy needed to bounce back, and snap the losing streak. Houston’s playing harder than they were earlier in the season, they haven’t lost a game by double-digits in three weeks, after seemingly getting blown out every night. Despite the outcomes of recent games, this Houston squad has improved immensely throughout the season. Will it be enough to garner the squad a victory tonight? It won’t be easy against Trae Young and a hungry Hawks team, but the Rockets have a much better chance at winning compared to how they were playing earlier in the year.
State Farm Arena: Atlanta, Georgia
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (8-18): White
Atlanta Hawks (13-13): Red
Tip: 6:30 PM
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass