11:39 - Rockets get the ball first and turn it over, Al Horford takes it to the hole for two on the other end. I like the way this is starting (doop - Rafer Alston three)
9:54 - Oh, the defense came to play in this third quarter! The Rockets have turned it over three times in the first two minutes, and a Mike Bibby three pointer has made it a four-point game, 49-45. It's worth noting that the Rockets played last night while the Hawks are fresh - I'd love to see us keep running it and try to take advantage of Houston's tired legs.
9:00 - Game of runs! Marvin hits a three, and the Hawks lead 50-49 (add a Bibby three, 53-49!). The Rockets started the game on a 19-4 tear, and the Hawks have started the second half on a 15-3 blitz. Go Hawks!
8:12 - Yao Ming picks up his third foul, on a Mike Bibby offensive rebound of all things. I can't believe this is the same Hawks team that started this game - we are outhustling Houston, outrunning them, outshooting them, out-everything-ing them (it makes sense). It's 55-51 Atlanta, and if we keep this energy level up, we could start to build this thing out.
5:15 - Joe Johnson, whose been relatively quiet in this game, drops a tough lay-up in against Yao, which reminds me, Joe has better body control around the basket than almost any player in the league. I am constantly impressed by his ability to finish from a variety of different angles. 57-55 Hawks.
4:18 - Al Horford is being very aggressive on offense and I like it. He's got 10 after a running hook goes in. Yao answers at the other end but misses the FT, 59-57 Atlanta.
3:15 - This is something Josh Smith will have to learn as he gets older in this league - when your shot isn't falling, you gotta get to the foul line. Smoove is 3-13 from the field right now and has only two FTs. Get to the rack, young fella.
2:30 - Both teams have gone into a mini-funk, offensively. It's 59-58 Hawks, as the Rockets turn the ball over again in the third.
:46 - Joe Johnson special, as JJ drains a loooooong three that leaves everyone on press row shaking their head. I'd love to see a shooting contest that measures a guy's range - i.e., his ability to shoot a normal shot (and make it) from the furthest out on the court. JJ could get pretty well close to halfcourt it seems before he'd have to put any extra oomph on it. It's amazing.
:00 - 62-60 Hawks at the end of three. The Hawks held the Rockets to just 14 points in the third, and turned them over 7 times. I don't expect them to do the same in the fourth, but if they give the same effort again, I think we walk out of here with a W.
