Atlanta Hawks

Recap: Houston Rockets blow 20-Point Lead, Fall to Hawks

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:46 p.m. ET

Fansided, Coty Davis/FanSided via Space City Scoop

James Harden scores 41 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists as the Houston Rockets falls against the Atlanta Hawks.

Following their blowout victory over the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Rockets failed to finish the job against the Atlanta Hawks Thursday at the Toyota Center. For a team that was up by 20 entering the fourth, this maybe the worst loss of the season.

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Led by James Harden, who scored his first 13 points of the first quarter. The Rockets held a 50-47 lead heading into the break after a back-and-forth first half that had 13 lead changes.

Following a 36-point third quarter that gave them an 86-73 lead heading into the final frame, it seemed as if the Rockets were heading to their 37th victory of the season. However, things changed in a blink of an eye in Houston.

Despite holding a 20 point lead, the Rockets got too complacent with the lead, which gave new life to the Hawks. Led by Tim Hardway Jr, Atlanta outscored Houston 36-11 in the final eight minutes of the game.

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In his first game back in Houston, Dwight Howard dominated with 24 points and 23 rebounds. However, his performance was upstaged his teammate, Hardway Jr.

During the Hawks’ fourth quarter comeback, Hardway scored 23 of his 33 points, a career high.

Perhaps it is time for the Rockets to change their game plan. The 3-pointers are no longer falling like they once were. Houston shot 13-for-51 from behind the arc for 25.5 percent.

Overall, tonight was one of their worst shooting nights of the season.

Following the loss, the Houston Rockets will look to bounce back Friday night against the Chicago Bulls.