Hawks getting bombed by 3's

[HMFFL]

FOREST OF THREES: The Hawks have been giving up 3-point shots at an alarming rate. In three of their five games before facing Houston, opponents made at least 15.

Here's how the opposition had fared over the previous five games: Orlando (15 of 28 ), Miami (6 of 17), Charlotte (9 of 15) New Orleans (15 of 29) and Golden State (17 of 32).

Orlando, New Orleans and Golden State had success penetrating the paint and then passing the ball out to their shooters.

"Up until a month ago, we were in the top seven or eight in defending the 3s," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "Then the bottom just fell out all of sudden."

In the previous meeting with Houston on Feb. 9, the Rockets made 6 of 19 3-pointers in a 108-89 victory.

"The big thing we need to do is make sure that if there is a 3-point shooter, that we try to run him off the 3-point line," Josh Childress said. "We have to make a concerted effort to run them off the line."

The 3-pointer defense improved Wednesday, when the Rockets went 6-for-29 from 3-point range in their 83-75 victory at Philips Arena.