Hawks Fly Past Rockets
HOUSTON, TX -- The Atlanta Hawks blew open a close game with a strong finish in the second quarter and cruised to a 102-95 victory over the Houston Rockets Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 14,998 fans.
"The end of the first half really hurt us," said Rick Adelman after the game. "It was a pretty tight game; and, they get that run at the end of the first half and got the lead. They just maintained it the rest of the way. We could never, never break through. We got the lead down to seven at one time; but, that was it."
Tonight's loss was the third in the last four home games for the Rockets (24-20).
"We just have to get back at it," Adelman added. "I just told them that they're going to have tough times over the course of the season; and, we're kind of running into that right now. We got to find a way to work our way through it."
Atlanta (29-14) forward Joe Johnson drained a long step-back three-point shot to put the Hawks ahead 46-44 with 3:35 left in the second quarter. The Hawks closed out the quarter with nine more points to lead the Rockets 55-44 at halftime.
The Hawks stretched the lead to 15 points (65-50) in the third quarter; but, the Rockets showed signs of life late in the quarter as Kyle Lowry and Carl Landry attacked the basket; drew fouls; and converted four straight free throws to help outscore the Hawks 23-22 in the third stanza.
The Rockets kept within arms' reach of the Hawks early in the fourth; then, a three-point bucket from Lowry and two more made free throws from Landry trimmed the Rockets' deficit to six points (84-78) with 6:46 left on the game clock.
But, the Hawks' Joe Johnson broke down the Rockets defense; passed to an open Mike Bibby behind the three-point line; and Bibby swished the three to put the Hawks up by nine points. After Johnson hit a tough pull up jumper to push the Rockets deficit back to 11, Landry and Brooks converted two lay-ups to pull within seven points (91-84).
However, Bibby scored five points during an 8-0 Hawks' run to take a 99-84 lead and send what was left of the crowd to the exits with 2:46 left in the ball game.
"They played a great game," Aaron Brooks said of the Hawks. "They did exactly what we thought they were going to do - switched a lot of things. It seemed like one part of the game got away from us; and, we were trying to climb out of that hole. But give them credit. They made shots when they needed to. We went on a run; they went on one; so, that's how some games go."
Josh Smith (9 for 16 from the field) led the Hawks with 22 points; 20 rebounds; four steals; and four blocked shots. Johnson (8 for 16) added 20 points; six boards; and four assists.
Carl Landry led the Rockets with 16 points (4 for 12 from the field). Landry shot 8 for 9 from the foul line.
Landry acknowledges this part of the season being a low point; but, he remains optimistic.
"This is pretty much the lowest point yet for us this season; and, we will get better. I'm sure we will bounce back."
The Rockets continue their six-game homestand this Wednesday versus the Denver Nuggets.
"The end of the first half really hurt us," said Rick Adelman after the game. "It was a pretty tight game; and, they get that run at the end of the first half and got the lead. They just maintained it the rest of the way. We could never, never break through. We got the lead down to seven at one time; but, that was it."
Tonight's loss was the third in the last four home games for the Rockets (24-20).
"We just have to get back at it," Adelman added. "I just told them that they're going to have tough times over the course of the season; and, we're kind of running into that right now. We got to find a way to work our way through it."
Atlanta (29-14) forward Joe Johnson drained a long step-back three-point shot to put the Hawks ahead 46-44 with 3:35 left in the second quarter. The Hawks closed out the quarter with nine more points to lead the Rockets 55-44 at halftime.
The Hawks stretched the lead to 15 points (65-50) in the third quarter; but, the Rockets showed signs of life late in the quarter as Kyle Lowry and Carl Landry attacked the basket; drew fouls; and converted four straight free throws to help outscore the Hawks 23-22 in the third stanza.
The Rockets kept within arms' reach of the Hawks early in the fourth; then, a three-point bucket from Lowry and two more made free throws from Landry trimmed the Rockets' deficit to six points (84-78) with 6:46 left on the game clock.
But, the Hawks' Joe Johnson broke down the Rockets defense; passed to an open Mike Bibby behind the three-point line; and Bibby swished the three to put the Hawks up by nine points. After Johnson hit a tough pull up jumper to push the Rockets deficit back to 11, Landry and Brooks converted two lay-ups to pull within seven points (91-84).
However, Bibby scored five points during an 8-0 Hawks' run to take a 99-84 lead and send what was left of the crowd to the exits with 2:46 left in the ball game.
"They played a great game," Aaron Brooks said of the Hawks. "They did exactly what we thought they were going to do - switched a lot of things. It seemed like one part of the game got away from us; and, we were trying to climb out of that hole. But give them credit. They made shots when they needed to. We went on a run; they went on one; so, that's how some games go."
Josh Smith (9 for 16 from the field) led the Hawks with 22 points; 20 rebounds; four steals; and four blocked shots. Johnson (8 for 16) added 20 points; six boards; and four assists.
Carl Landry led the Rockets with 16 points (4 for 12 from the field). Landry shot 8 for 9 from the foul line.
Landry acknowledges this part of the season being a low point; but, he remains optimistic.
"This is pretty much the lowest point yet for us this season; and, we will get better. I'm sure we will bounce back."
The Rockets continue their six-game homestand this Wednesday versus the Denver Nuggets.
posted by Kris G @ 11:07 PM
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