The Houston Rockets came into this one in need of a get-right after too ugly losses to the Los Angeles Lakers, and get right they did, leading for the vast majority of the game, shooting 52 percent from the field, 47 percent from deep and holding the Hawks to 41 percent shooting on their way to a 117-95 victory.
The Rockets had a balanced attack for once, with all five starters finishing in double figures, led by Kevin Durant’s 25 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steal and 2 blocks to go along with 9-for-15
shooting and 3-for-5 from deep. He also had zero turnovers.
Jabari Smith Jr. had another strong game and has been one of the few Rockets playing relatively well in recent weeks. He had 23 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while shooting 7-for-14 from the field and 3-for-8 from deep.
Houston also got a neat triple-double from Alperen Sengun, who finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists, while Amen Thompson had 14 points and so did Reed Sheppard, who also shot 4-for-7 from deep.
The Hawks were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who finished with 21, and CJ McCollum, who had 17.
The Rockets move to 42-27 on the year and sit in fourth place just barely in the Western Conference, where they are bunched up with the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. They will be back in action again tonight, when they take on the Miami Heat at the Toyota Center at 7pm CST.
