Soaring Hawks plot to subdue Kevin Durant, Rockets
The Atlanta Hawks will try to match their season high with a fifth straight victory on Thursday when they host the Houston Rockets.
Both teams are completing the second game of a back-to-back set. Atlanta defeated Boston 117-106 on Wednesday, while Houston fell for just the second time in seven games after suffering through a miserable second half in a 111-99 setback to San Antonio.
This is the first of two meetings between the teams. The Rockets swept both games last season, winning 121-114 in Houston and 100-96 in Atlanta.
The Hawks' winning streak comes on the heels of a four-game losing streak. Atlanta won five straight from Nov. 8-16.
The Hawks bolted out to a 38-18 advantage over Boston after the first quarter, led by as many as 23 points and did not allow the Celtics to get closer than nine points.
Jalen Johnson had 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points. Dyson Daniels showed signs of an offensive revival by scoring 15 after netting 22 on Monday.
"I just got to continue to trust myself, work on my game," Daniels said. "Continue to shoot it when I'm open, get to my floater, create for my teammates, just wherever I can impact the game. And it's gonna be different every night depending on who I'm guarding, and I just got to come up with the same intention, the same mindset every game, of being aggressive and looking to make plays."
The Hawks have gotten a boost from the acquisition of Christian Koloko, who they signed to a two-way contract on Jan. 16. He had a career-high 12 points on 6-for-6 shooting, four rebounds and three blocks in a 132-116 victory against Indiana on Monday.
Houston led by 15 points on Wednesday before fading badly in the second half. The Rockets scored only 13 points in the fourth quarter and only 37 points in the second half - the season low for both. Houston made only 4 of 23 shots (17.4 percent) in the fourth quarter.
The Rockets received 25 points from Amen Thompson and 24 points from Kevin Durant. Alperen Sengun had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Durant always has been a tough matchup for Atlanta. He is averaging 29.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 32 career games against the Hawks.
Houston is missing Steven Adams, who underwent season-ending left ankle surgery. He suffered the injury on Jan. 18 and was averaging 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds.
"We knew it was a bad sprain immediately," coach Ime Udoka said. "Blew up to softball size, or more, immediately."
With Adams out, the Rockets may rely more heavily on former Hawk Clint Capela, who is averaging 3.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. But Udoka did not rule out a possible trade.
"There are discussions," Udoka said. "People are calling non-stop, but it depends on what's out there. I think we're totally fine going with Clint and our small-ball lineups if need be, but let's see what shakes out."
Atlanta continues to be without starters Zaccharie Risacher (left knee bone contusion) and Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendinitis). The Hawks may also be without Onyeka Okongwu, who took an elbow to the mouth and went to the locker room after realizing his teeth had dislodged.