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Recap: Rockets at Hawks 03/03/2015

The short-handed Rockets put up a valiant fight, but fell just short in Atlanta with a 104-96 loss to the Hawks.

The Rockets were playing without James Harden who was serving a one-game suspension, but the offense didn’t show signs of missing the league’s leading scorer early as Houston put up 31 points in the first quarter.

Trevor Ariza set the tone on the very first play as he snuck in to swipe the jump ball away from Jeff Teague and get an easy two. The Rockets’ defense followed suit as they forced nine Atlanta turnovers in the opening frame.

The energy continued as Houston went on a 16-0 run in the middle of the first, highlighted by a headband-to-headband alley-oop from Smith to Brewer. Though the Hawks responded with a 10-3 run to open the second, but the Rockets answered with an 8-0 run to build the lead back to double digits. The Rockets build as big as an 18-point lead en route to a 59-45 score at halftme.

The Hawks then opened the third on a 13-6 run thanks to some big blocks and offensive boards. They cut the lead down to as little as four before the Jet took off. Jason Terry scored nine of his season-high 21 points in the third quarter to spark Houston to a nine-point lead heading into the fourth.

The Rockets were able to hold onto the lead because they held onto the ball – only six total turnovers through the first three quarters. In the fourth, however, they coughed it up seven times and Atlanta capitalized and took the lead. With a minute left, Terrence Jones has a chance to tie it at the free throw line, but missed two consecutive. Apart from that, Jones had a phenomenal game with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Seconds later, Patrick Beverley fouled out, sending Paul Millsap to the line for two free throws that iced the game.

The Rockets return home Wednesday for a division showdown with Memphis.