Game Thread: Hawks @ Rockets -- 12.20.23

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Dec 20, 2023 4:51 pm

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The Rockets look to snap a 2-game skid when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks to Toyota Center

The Atlanta Hawks are third in the NBA in scoring at 122.7 points per game.

The Houston Rockets are second in the NBA in defense at 107.3 points per game.

Conversely, Atlanta is 28th in defense (122.7 points per game allowed) and Houston is 25th in offense (110.7 points per game).

If you think you’re watching a 2003 Nancy Meyers rom-com, you’d be correct because Something’s Gotta Give.

The Hawks don’t throw many curveballs. They have two elite guards in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, so everything runs through those two. De’Andre Hunter and Saddiq Bey give them shooters in the starting lineup, and Bogdan Bogdanovic comes off the bench and fills up the hoop when he’s in.

Two former Rockets feature for the Hawks. First, there’s Clint Capela, who’s been there since Daryl Morey gambled on the 5-out lineup and set Houston’s rebuild back by at least two years. Also on the Hawks is Garrison Mathews, who had some fun stretches with the Rockets during the dark days, but has found a place in the rotation in the past five games with Atlanta.

Want a fun stat? Mathews hasn’t attempted a single 2-point shot all season. He’s 13-28 from the field, and 13-28 from deep. That’s a staggering 46.4%, so the Rockets might do well to stay home or force him to drive.

Houston - SB Nation

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Dec 20, 2023 5:05 pm

Previously, on Hawks v Rockets:

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Post #3 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 2:36 am

Post #4 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 2:41 am

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Post #5 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 2:43 am

Post #6 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 2:44 am

Hawks got lucky Tari missed this game...

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Post #7 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 2:55 am

Why do we consistently fall apart in 3rd quarters?

What adjustments are other teams making that we aren't?!? :banghead:

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Post #8 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 3:32 am

Poor Boban

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Post #9 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 3:51 am

Trae was huge, no doubt. But this is the second straight game where the offense fell apart in the final moments. No movement, no passing, team sells out to stop Trae and Hawks have no answer.

Post #10 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:02 am

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jayu70 · Post #11 » by **jayu70** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:13 am

Jamaaliver wrote:Trae was huge, no doubt. But this is the second straight game where the offense fell apart in the final moments. No movement, no passing, team sells out to stop Trae and Hawks have no answer.

When Trae is trapped players gotta move to come get the ball. Give him a passing angle to get the ball out.

jayu70 · Post #12 » by **jayu70** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:35 pm

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Post #13 » by **HMFFL** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:28 pm

I will tame the win even if it started to get suspect. Nice job closing things out.

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