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The Houston Rockets maintained their undefeated start by securing a 120-110 win against the Atlanta Hawks, moving their record to 4-0. Although the Hawks came out strong and held a halftime lead, Houston's superior interior play on both ends of the floor ultimately overwhelmed Atlanta, which fell to 2-2 after opening the season with two consecutive wins.
Alperen Sengun continues to be the driving force for the Rockets, likely enjoying the best season of his young career and positioning himself for a third straight All-Star selection. Sengun dominated the paint at both ends, filling the stat sheet with 29 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals. His shooting efficiency was outstanding, as he made 11 of 15 field goal attempts, including his only three-point try. His free-throw shooting is also showing improvement, converting 6 of 8 attempts and sitting at a 75% success rate for the season. The training and development work with Chip Engelland is already paying dividends and should continue to yield positive results.
Houston showcased its depth with six players scoring in double figures. Kevin Durant surpassed 20 points once again, even though his minutes (30) were managed for the first time this season. The Rockets' second unit, which was highlighted before the season as one of the league's best, delivered again. Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason each contributed 13 points. Eason has emerged as the leader of the bench mob, and his physical presence—evident in his aggressive drives and rebounding in the paint—will pose problems for every opponent going forward. His disruptive defense remains truly elite, as he added three blocks to his stat line.
Although Fred VanVleet struggled with his shot, going 2-of-7 from the floor and 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, his passing and playmaking enhanced the offense's fluidity and ball security. He dished out 5 assists and committed his first two turnovers of the season. For Atlanta, Jalen Johnson continued to be the team's talisman, but his efficiency was subpar in this game. He scored 21 points but shot just 36% from the field. He also committed 4 turnovers and nearly fouled out in the fourth quarter, finishing with 5 personal fouls.
Key Analysis
The Rockets' ability to dominate the paint and receive balanced contributions from both starters and bench players has been a key factor in their undefeated start. Sengun's all-around excellence and Eason's defensive prowess provide Houston with a formidable inside-out combination. Meanwhile, Atlanta's reliance on Johnson was evident, but his inefficient shooting and turnover issues proved costly. Houston will look to extend its winning streak when it travels to Milwaukee on Wednesday, October 28, to face the struggling Bucks (1-3).
Originally reported by yahoo.