Game thread: Hawks vs. Rockets

Atlanta Hawks (21-52) vs. Houston Rockets (59-14), Mar. 25, 2018, 7:00 p.m. CDT

Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX

TV: AT&T Sports Southwest

Radio: KBME 790 AM/KEYH 850 AM (Spanish)/KNTE 101.7 FM (Spanish)/Streaming on Rockets App

Online: Rockets App

Hawks SBNation Blog: Peachtree Hoops

For the first time in two weeks, the Rockets play a team that is out of playoff contention. The Hawks currently sit 15th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, and would possess the third-highest chance to get the coveted No. 1 ping-pong ball.

However, tonight is not a meaningless game. No games are meaningless when the Rockets are involved. Despite holding a 4.5-game lead over the Warriors for the top seed, the Rockets want to lock up that top seed ASAP so they can rest their guys to gear up for what is looking to be a long postseason run.

However, the Rockets are looking at tonight as an opportunity to rest, given that the Hawks are not the most challenging of opponents. Don’t expect to see Ryan Anderson, Chris Paul or Luc Mbah a Moute tonight. All of them are resting up and could probably play if this were a postseason game.

With many Rockets players out, the team called up four guys from the RGV Vipers: Zhou Qi, Chinanu Onuaku, R.J. Hunter, and Markel Brown. Of the four, Qi and Hunter are the most likely to see action tonight.

The Rockets are on the verge to win their 60th game and it isn’t even April. Tonight should be fun. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Check out AK’s preview before tipoff. Go Rockets!