Beasley, Rockets unable to stick the landing in Atlanta

It was another odd night for the Houston Rockets. Rockets center Dwight Howard appeared to have issues with a sticky substance during the first quarter of the game. Houston had their own sticky situation to deal with when it came to dealing with the Atlanta Hawks.

Hawks, winners in eight of their last nine games, kept their momentum going with a 109-97 win over the Rockets Saturday night at Philips Arena.

On the Houston side, Michael Beasley added 30 points and James Harden put in 25 points. For at Atlanta, Al Horford scored 22 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. collected 20 points.

The Rockets had a short lead before Tim Hardaway Jr. finished the first quarter with eight points including two three-pointers. The Hawks led 30-16 after one quarter.

Houston took back control with 42 points in the second quarter including a 13-0 run at one point. James Harden led the Rockets with 14 points in the quarter. Houston took a 58-52 halftime lead.

Kyle Korver helped the Hawks get the lead back in the third with two pull up, quick fire three-pointers in the third as part of a 11-point night. But, Houston held a 83-82 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Michael Beasley did his best effort to carry the Rockets across the finish line by scoring 12 of the team's 14 fourth quarter points.

The Hawks outside shooting carried the day. Atlanta shot 36.8 percent from beyond the ar, while Houston shot 21.7 percent for the night.

Houston was still within two possessions with the score 100-95. But three-pointers from Horford and Thabo Sefolosha sealed the Hawks win late.

The Rockets fall to 35-35 on the season, still one game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks in seventh place in the Wester Conference standings.