Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks game preview

I’d like to welcome back the Astros fans who have essentially ignored the start of the Rockets’ season. Glad to have you back!

That’s not an attempt to be passive-aggressive. I truly mean to welcome back.

Houston sports finally won a non-Rockets championship. Of course, the sports gods had their way and took Deshaun Watson from the Texans less than 24 hours after the champagne bath in Los Angeles.

Anyway, the Rockets will be playing their 18th straight road game tonight when they take on the1-7 Atlanta Hawks.

Houston has lost 7 straight against Atlanta, with the last win being on November 27, 2013 at Toyota Center. The last time Houston won in Atlanta? November 2, 2012. It was James Harden’s second game as a Houston Rocket. He did this.

Yeah, Harden was is will always be pretty good.

Atlanta has only had two home games so far, with tonight being their third. They opened the season with a win in Dallas and have lost their next seven since. If ever there was a time to beat Atlanta and break this losing streak, it’s tonight. As long as James Harden doesn’t the entire night before the game enjoying the infamous Atlanta nightlife, Houston should have the better talent.

That’s not to say the Hawks are a G-League team, because that’s not true. Dennis Schroder is a wizard (but not a Wizard), Taurean Prince is a really good young player, Dewayne Dedmon is just a year or so away from being a prototypical NBA center in today’s game. The Rockets chased Kent Bazemore hard a few summers ago.

Even Atlanta’s bench has some killers. Marco Belinelli and Luke Babbitt are shooters. John Collins is averaging 11/7 (in only 19 minutes per night, mind you) off the bench. And Isaiah Taylor is probably thirsty for some revenge against his former team.

Again, the Rockets have the superior team. But much like Mary, there’s something about the Hawks.

Tip-off is at 6:30pm CT