Hawks at Rockets
THE STORY: The Atlanta Hawks seek their fourth consecutive victory when they start a tough three-game road trip by visiting the Houston Rockets on Saturday. The contest at Houston serves as a precursor to back-to-back road games at Miami on Monday and Chicago on Tuesday. The games against the Heat and Bulls will be much tougher tests than what the Hawks have faced thus far – beating the New Jersey Nets twice and routing the Washington Wizards. Atlanta defeated New Jersey 105-98 on Friday with Jeff Teague leading the way with 22 points. Houston is playing for the third straight night – the Rockets routed San Antonio by 20 points at home on Thursday and then lost by 20 on the road at Memphis on Friday. Houston committed 20 turnovers and was dominated inside by the Grizzlies’ duo of Zach Randolph (21 points) and Marc Gasol (20). “Any time you have Randolph and Gasol go 17 of 22, you are going to have major issues,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said afterwards.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sport South (Atlanta), Fox Sports Houston (Houston)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (3-0): The speedy Teague was often too passive for coach Larry Drew’s liking last season and has been urged to step up the tempo while he starts in place of injured Kirk Hinrich (shoulder). Teague got the message and had one of his best all-around performances of his three-year career in Friday’s win. He had six assists and made nine of 12 shots. “I think when I’m playing aggressive, that’s when I’m at my best,” Teague said afterwards.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (1-2): High-scoring guard Kevin Martin has found his shooting touch the last two games after suffering through a 1-for-10 night that he described as “horrible” in the season-opening loss against Orlando. Martin has since shot 60.7 percent and made seven 3-point baskets while scoring 25 against the Spurs and 21 against the Grizzlies. Martin has made just eight trips (making seven) to the foul line thus far after tying for the league high in free throws made (594) last season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Houston is 11-1 in its last 12 home games against Atlanta.
2. Hawks guard Joe Johnson averaged 27.5 points and seven assists in two games against the Rockets last season.
3. Rockets forward Patrick Patterson (offseason ankle surgery) played for the first time this season against Memphis.
PREDICTION: Rockets 114, Hawks 113.