Prediction
I don’t anticipate this game going well for Atlanta. The Rockets can flat out score and offense isn’t Atlanta’s specialty. As Kris Willis from Peachtree Hoops noted today, their defense is also trending in the wrong direction.
"Over the last five games the Hawks are allowing 119.2 points per game. Part of that is skewed due to the 139 points put up by the New York Knicks in Sunday’s four-overtime game in which Atlanta won. However, over that span of five games, the Hawks are offering little resistance at the defensive end. Jan 23 loss to Clippers 115-105 Jan 25 win over Bulls 119-114 Jan 27 loss to Wizards 112-86 Jan 29 win over Knicks 142-139 4OT Feb 1 loss to Heat 116-93"
That’s troubling for a team that relies on their defense to win games. The exhaustion from this recent stretch won’t help matters. I expect the Rockets to win this game rather easily. On their best night Atlanta has what it takes to beat Houston, but tonight will not be that night.
Next: Kent Bazemore's Outstanding January
Who: Atlanta Hawks (28-21) @ Houston Rockets (36-16)
When: 8:00 PM EST, Thursday, February 2nd, 2017
Where: Toyota Center
How: TNT
Prediction: Rockets 109 Hawks 90