Atlanta Hawks – Houston Rockets: Back-to-back showdown
Season’s first meeting between two teams still chasing playoff spots. Both sides are on the second night of back-to-backs — Hawks coming off a win, Rockets off a loss. Expect a proper clash of styles, with Houston keen to prove why they’re the favorites.
Atlanta Hawks: Fifth straight win? 
Everything’s clicking for the Hawks right now: four straight wins, including a statement victory over Boston last night (117-106). Quin Snyder’s group is actually starting to defend — they showed that against Phoenix too (110-103). It’s clear progress, even if Atlanta still ranks among the league’s worst defenses, conceding 118.3 points per game.
Offensively they hum. Led by Jalen Johnson, the Hawks average 117.7 points, the seventh-best attack in the NBA. They run plays around their new star and keep everyone involved — 31.0 assists per game, the top mark in the league this season. The big question: can that offense stay effective against a Rockets defense that knows how to make life difficult.
INJURY REPORT : Kristaps Porzingis (OUT)
Houston Rockets: Need to bounce back 
The Rockets had been rolling, but Spurs hit them hard last night (99-111). It’s not the end of the world for the West’s fourth seed — just a bump against a motivated opponent. Still, Ime Udoka’s men must respond fast. They’re big favorites and can’t let a sleepy performance cost them.
Defense is Houston’s foundation — fourth-best in the league, allowing just 110.5 points. With physical wing defenders like Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr., the aim will be to shut down Atlanta’s main scoring threats. Offense has cooled a touch — they’re 15th with 116.3 points — but that’s still fine in a high-tempo contest.
INJURY REPORT : Steven Adams (OUT)
NBA Pick Atlanta Hawks vs Houston Rockets
Rockets to win
Houston heads to Georgia as the clear favorite, but Atlanta’s hot right now. Still, the Rockets have the deeper roster and the experience edge. Udoka’s team can control the tempo, and scorers like Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant can do serious damage against a defense as leaky as Atlanta’s.
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