U-G-L-Y. No other way to describe it. How did they win a game that included....
Rafer Alston 3-18 from the floor.
Overall 30-90 (.333) from the floor.
6-29 (.207) on treys.
17-26 (.654) from the free-throw line.
A big thank you to the Hawks for firing jumper, after jumper, after jumper. Mike Bibby was worthless in this game, logging almost 42 minutes, but contributing just 8 points and 4 assists.
The Rockets 22 offensive rebounds nearly matched their top total (25) of the season.
The Rockets put a 10-0 run on the Hawks late in the final period to close out the Hawks and if not for an otherwise meaningless dunk from Marvin Williams in the final seconds the Rockets would have had their 11th consecutive win by double figures - which would have established a new NBA record.
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The Rockets are certainly ripe to be beaten in this one, with some extremely uninspired offense. But with under 4 minutes, it's time to go win a game on night they didn't play well. Let's watch 'em get it done. (77-70, 3:01 4Q)
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A miserable shooting night for Rafer (3-16), but he is 1-1 in the 4th quarter, hitting his second trey of the night. (HOU 71-66, 6:00 4Q)
----------------HOU 59-57, End 3--------------
The Rockets have picked up the rebounding and McGrady has recovered from his 2-10 first half, by making 5-6 to open the 3rd quarter. Rockets have built a small lead thanks to hitting the boards. If not for Josh Smith (16 rebounds, 7 offensive) they might have pushed the lead to double figures. (HOU 52-49, 4:13 3Q)
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Looking over the season numbers just before the half begins, how's this...Bobby Jackson is 1-4 tonight, making him 19-57 in his 9 games with the Rockets. Those are the exact same shooting numbers for none other than Steve Francis.
-------------------ATL 33-32, HALF---------------------
Look I know the Hawks are bad, they only scored 33 points in the first half - but they are leading the game by 1. The Rockets did not score over the final 5:46 of the half. The Hawks are not a good defensive team, yet the Rockets went 0-for-10 to close out the half and finish a dismal 12-43 (29.7%). The 32 points scored is a new season low, yikes!!
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You might not have noticed but Alston (0-8) and McGrady (2-8) are not shooting well. Unless things really slow down over the final few moments of the second quarter, this will undoubtedly be the quickest half of the season. (HOU 32-28, 3:08 2Q)
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The Rockets have not played this poorly for this much of a game since that 6-game losing streak during the first month of the season. That being said they have a 8-point lead because the Hawks are playing just that poorly. Same story from the Jersey game on Monday - the Rockets 2nd unit has been excellent. Hayes, Luther Head and crew have helped to try to right the ship. (HOU 32-24, 5:59 2Q)
----------TIED 18-18, End 1st-------------------
Good news, bad news first quarter. Good news is the game is tied at 18. Bad news is the Rockets are shooting very,very,very poorly. Just 6-of-23 in the period, but Steve Novak grabbed a loose ball with less than 3 seconds left and dropped in an 8-foot jumper to tie it up. Hawks started 5-of-8, finished 2-of-10.-----------------------------
The Rockets are doing some serious shuffling but they have withstood the initial charge by the Hawks. A 10-2 run of their own, aided by a pair of Battier 3's. Like I said during the pregame show, the Hawks are a legitimate team at home, they have the 4th best record in the East. This one will not be easy. (ATL 18-16, 1Q)
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Rockets will have to overcome their worst start to a game during the 19-game winning streak. The Hawks took a 14-4 lead, the first double figure deficit the Rockets have faced since played Utah on January 27th. Not coincidentally that was their last loss. Luis Scola also picked up two early fouls so they are in big trouble with just Mike Harris left up front after Hayes who had to check in very early in this one. (ATL 14-8, 5:26 1Q)
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