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Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: Feb. 2 at Houston Rockets

By Andrew Snyder

Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) looks on from the court during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) looks on from the court during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) warms up before a game against the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) warms up before a game against the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Thing To Watch For Houston: Offensive Firepower

The Rockets are led by James Harden, who is having an MVP level season. They’ve surrounded him with shooters like Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson. Houston’s offense is unstoppable at times. Through 52 games they’ve got the second rated offense in the NBA, scoring 114.1 points per 100 possessions.

As you’d imagine, they take a ton of three-pointers and they live at the free-throw line. They lead the league in three-point makes and attempts. They also lead the league in made free-throws and are second in free-throw attempts. It’s “Moreyball” at its finest.

They’re led, of course, by James Harden. Harden has become the point guard of Mike D’Antoni’s dreams. Harden is averaging 28.4 points, 11.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds per game on 44.4 percent shooting and 34.3 percent from deep. He’s shooting 86 percent from the free-throw line and gets there 10.5 times per game.

Thabo Sefolosha is expected to return tonight after dealing with a nagging groin injury, so he’ll likely be tasked with slowing down Harden. If Sefolosha can’t go Kent Bazemore may draw the assignment. Either way, it will be tough to stop Harden. He’s going to get his. Atlanta would be best served trying to thwart the pieces around Harden.

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