Lowry, Martin lead Rockets to win over Hawks

Posted: December 31, 2011 -- 10:25pm CST.

HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets played their third game in three nights Saturday night. The Atlanta Hawks played their second game in two nights. Based on the energy displayed by the two teams Saturday night, one would assume the Hawks were the more tired team; but, the Rockets picked up the 95-84 victory with more hustle and more energy.

Hawks head coach Larry said after the game, "I thought they (Houston) played with an enormous amount of energy, if you watch the first half, you would've thought we (Atlanta) were the team that got in at three o'clock in the morning."

Luis Scola took advantage of the Hawks' lethargy with 10 first quarter points. The Rockets led 31-22 after one quarter. Chase Budinger and Kevin Martin each scored seven points in the first; and, the Rockets made 13 of 23 field goal attempts (56.5%).

The pace of the game slowed to a crawl for much of the second quarter. The teams combined for just 18 points in the first six minutes and 43 seconds of the quarter. Kevin Martin hit a three-point shot for a 41-33 Rockets' lead; but, the Hawks stopped jacking up perimeter shots and went to work in the post and pulled within three points (43-40) before back-to-back threes by Martin and Chase Budinger and a basket by Samuel Dalembert gave the Rockets a 51-44 halftime lead.

The Hawks' malaise returned in the third quarter; and, Martin scored eight points in less than two minutes during a 14-4 run to increase the Rockets lead to 70-53 with 3:23 remaining in the quarter. The Hawks (3-1) managed to outscore the Rockets 7-2 in the final minutes of the quarter to trail 72-60 after three quarters.

The fourth quarter began with a 15-foot basket by Patrick Patterson. Former Rockets (and Raptors and Magic and Knicks and Pistons' guard) Tracy McGrady scored layup before the play of the game.

Atlanta's Jannero Pargo raced down the court for a break away layup; but, Lowry chased him down and leaped high to swat Pargo's layup attempt.

The Hawks did not score on the possession. In fact, Lowry made two free throws on the other end after the blocked shot.

Lowry described the blocked shot as "luck"; but, the play clearly energized the crowd and his teammates.

"It was definitely a great play," Jordan Hill said. "A lot of people would have given up on it."

McGrady kept the Hawks in the game with timely baskets and rebounds. McGrady's dunk at the 5:20 mark trimmed the Rockets lead to six (79-73); but, Hill scored a layup and Budinger drained a three as the Rockets withstood another Hawks' run.

Lowry scored only two points; but, he dished out a career-high tying 18 assists.

"It's a win. That's all that matters," said Lowry. "As long as we get wins and my teammates are doing what they are supposed to do and we get a W at the end of the day, I'm happy."

Rockets head coach Kevin McHale said, "They made runs at us; but, I tell you what, that's more the style of game that we're going to have to win. Kind of a dirt-worker game. I like those kinds of games.

Kevin Martin scored a game-high 27 points (9 for 20 from the field, 6 of 11 on threes).

"I feel like I'm in a rhythm. Both offensively and defensively," Martin said.

Scola scored 21 points and made two key jump shots to help seal the win.

"Luis was just money down the stretch and made a couple of big shots," McHale said.

Jordan Hill scored 11 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds. Samuel Dalembert chipped in seven points and 10 boards (in 19 minutes) off the bench.

"Jordan Hill was rebounding everything in sight," McHale added. "Sam did a great job on the offensive boards. He got five offensive boards in 20 minutes and did a nice job."

Thus far this season, the Rockets (2-2) have won twice at home and lost twice on the road.

"I think so far in the season we've been showing two faces," Luis Scola summarized. "In the two homes game we've won, we played really well. We focused on defense and playing team defense and team offense. In the two games we played on the road we didn't play that way, that's why we won those two games and that's why we lost the other two."

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.