Top 3 Highlights to Watch in Rockets vs. Hawks on League Pass

Top 3 Highlights to Watch in Rockets vs. Hawks on League Pass

The Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets are set to face off at State Farm Arena. This matchup, scheduled for Thursday night, features two teams coming off back-to-back games. The Hawks achieved a notable victory against the Boston Celtics, while the Rockets are looking to recover from a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Top 3 Highlights to Watch in Rockets vs. Hawks on League Pass

1. Atlanta’s New Lineup Dynamics

The Hawks recently made a major trade, sending Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. In return, they acquired CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Since making these changes, the team has shown signs of improvement.

  • Record: 7-4 since the trade
  • Winning streak: Four consecutive victories
  • Key contributions: Nickeil Alexander-Walker averaging 19.6 points per game

The Hawks’ three-point shooting has surged as well, currently ranking third in the league with an impressive 15.6 makes per game.

2. Defensive Standouts Shine

Both teams will feature two of the league’s premier defenders. Houston’s Amen Thompson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels ranked among the top five in the previous season’s Defensive Player of the Year voting.

  • Amen Thompson: 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, with a career-high scoring average of 18.3 points.
  • Dyson Daniels: 1.6 steals per game, including five steals in his last outing.

Each player brings elite defensive skills, adding a unique layer to this matchup.

3. Contrasting Play Styles

The Hawks and Rockets embody different basketball philosophies. Atlanta plays at an accelerated pace, currently ranking second in the league. They prioritize ball movement, boasting a second-place rank in assist percentage.

  • Hawks: Fast-paced, team-oriented play.
  • Rockets: Slower tempo, isolation-heavy strategy with stars like Thompson and Alperen Şengün leading.

This stylistic clash is anticipated to create an exciting atmosphere for fans on Thursday night.