Seven consecutive defeats follow the Atlanta Hawks home on Friday evening, as the Houston Rockets come to town for their annual visit to Philips Arena. On the “bright side” for the home team, James Harden will not be flanked by his All-Star partner in crime in Chris Paul but, in the same breath, this is a talented and highly dangerous Rockets team.
Houston has not been quite as explosive (or fast-paced) as expected in the early going but, given that caveat, a 6-3 record speaks volumes. Harden is an immense problem for any team to defend and, in this spot, the Hawks will likely lean on a bevy players (headlined by Kent Bazemore) to defend him in a spot where DeAndre’ Bembry continues to be unavailable.