Rockets earn 60th win of the season in thrashing of the Atlanta Hawks

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets did what was expected Sunday night: defeat the Atlanta Hawks in dominating fashion. The Rockets never trailed in tonight's 118-99 victory. Houston led by as much as 26 points; and, the game was never in doubt.

Tonight is also the Rockets 30th win at Toyota Center this season.  Houston has now won 30 or more home games in four of the past five seasons after doing so four times the 22 seasons prior.

Houston picks up its ninth straight win and its 60th overall this season.  The Rockets (60-14) are the 18th team in NBA history to have at least 60 wins by Game #74.  Eleven of the previous 17 won the championship.

"It’s pretty cool to get 60 wins," James Harden acknowledged. "You don’t want to be on the other side and have 60 losses. But, it’s just a good feeling that means you’re doing something right. The chemistry is there, and guys are sharing the ball, being unselfish, and playing for each other. So, obviously it’s a really cool thing getting 60 wins; but, we just got to continue to build that momentum, and keep guys healthy for these last, I think, eight games, and then get ready for the post season."

"Yeah, that’s big (winning 60 regular season games)," Eric Gordon said. "That’s like a special team, you very rarely see it. Probably only one or two teams a year do it and it’s just a special year. We still have eight or nine games to go, we’ve just got to keep on punching. But, it’s been a special year."

The game was tied at 3; but, Eric Gordon sank one of his four three point shots to give the Rockets a 6-3 lead. The Hawks (21-53) pulled within two points (11-9); however, Trevor Ariza scored 8 consecutive points to stretch the lead to 19-9.

The Hawks scored the next four points; but, the Rockets finished the quarter with a 14-7 run to lead 33-20 at the end of the first period.

Ariza scored 14 points (4 for 5 on three-point shots) in the quarter. James Harden scored 5 points; but, Harden dished out 7 of the team's 9 first quarter assists.

Ariza didn't score in the second quarter; but, P.J. Tucker picked up the scoring slack with 9 points to lead the Rockets. Clint Capela and Gerald Green each scored eight points in the second period to help the Rockets outscore the Hawks 36-25 in the quarter and lead 69-45 at halftime.

The Hawks outscored the Rockets 29-25 in the third quarter. Atlanta shot 54.5% (12 for 22) in the quarter as Houston's defense suffered some slippage due to boredom.

"I thought the energy coming out was great," said D'Antoni. "To keep the focus for the whole 48 minutes and you’re up 25 (points), it’s tough. They’ve been in that situation so I don’t blame them at all."

The Hawks were able to get within 16 points twice in the final quarter; however, Houston forward Gerald Green scored seven points during a 13-4 final burst to increase the lead to 25 (118-93). The Hawks scored the final six points of the game.

Green scored 25 points in the game. Green shot 10 for 15 from the floor including 5 for 10 from behind the three-point line. Tonight's 25 points is the fourth time this season Green has scored 20 or more points in a game.  He has scored 10 or more points in five of the past seven games (11.4 ppg; 48.9% FGs) after not doing so in any of his previous seven games played (3.9 ppg; 25.0% FGs).  Green has hit 2 plus three-point field goals 22 times in 33 games played this season, including 3 or more 15 times and 4 or more 11 times.  Since signing with the Rockets December 28, Green has the third-most 3FGM (85) of any reserve in the league.

"Guys are just really giving me a lot of confidence. Even if I miss shots they tell me to shoot. I was just going into my spots, teammates just kept finding me, I’ve got to let it go. So, I’m just glad I was able to knock a few down."

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Houston has won 16 in a row at home which is the second-longest home winning streak in franchise history (21 from April 14, 1985 to January 11, 1986; 20 in a single season). 

James Harden had 18 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes of play, marking his fourth triple-double of the season.  It is the third time he has recorded a triple-double in 30 or fewer minutes played in his career (27 vs. Utah on 4/15/15 and 30 vs. Sac on 12/14/16).  All 35 of Harden’s career triple-doubles have come as a Rocket (Houston 29-6 mark).

"Get guys confidence and just get guys going, and I got a lot of guys easy baskets. I didn’t shoot the ball well," Harden said. "But, who cares?"

Harden shot 6 for 15 from the floor (1 for 7 threes).

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