Rockets blow big lead in loss to Atlanta Hawks

Posted: December 29, 2015 -- 11:15 pm.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets found another way to lose a game in the 2015-'16 season: shoot lights out; lead by 19 points; fail to get key rebounds and turn the ball over way too often; and blow an 11 point lead in the 4th quarter. In a game which saw a little bit of everything, the Rockets lost to the Atlanta Hawks 121-115 Tuesday night.

Thanks to a sensational 69.2% field goal shooting in the first half, the Rockets scored 41 points in the first quarter and 71 points in the first half to lead by 15 points at halftime.

The Rockets committed 7 turnovers in the third quarter which helped the Hawks win the quarter 29-21 -- despite making just 11 of 28 field goal attempts (39.3%).

Leading by 7 after three quarters, the Rockets scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to lead 96-85 before the Hawks went on a 17-7 run to reduce the Rockets' lead to one (103-102) with 5:50 remaining in the game.

The score see-sawed back and forth the next 5 minutes with 5 lead changes and 4 ties.

With the scored tied at 115, the Rockets committed a shot clock violation (turnover number 20). Atlanta's Kent Bazemore played great defense against James Harden. Bazemore deflected the ball from Harden which led to a loose ball on the court and the shot clock violation.

After an Atlanta timeout, the Hawks' Al Horford posted up Corey Brewer. Bazemore tossed a pass into Horford's direction; and, Brewer thought he could deflect the pass or steal the ball. Unfortunately, Brewer took a bad angle; and, once he missed the ball, Horford caught the pass and had an easy lay-up to give the Hawks a 117-115 lead with 33.4 seconds remaining.

Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard each had their shot attempts blocked by Atlanta's Paul Millsap. Jeff Teague grabbed the loose ball and was fouled. Teague made both free throws to ice the game.

The loss overshadowed Dwight Howard's 30 points and 16 rebounds. Howard and Clint Capela (17 points and 10 boards) each tallied double-doubles; however, both struggled from the foul line in the fourth quarter (7 for 14 free throws) which helped the Hawks stay close.

James Harden added 26 points (6 for 16 field goals), 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 7 turnovers.

The Rockets shot 54.2% from the floor (11 for 20 from three) while the Hawks shot 43.4% from the floor. The Rockets had won 87 consecutive games when shooting 50.0% or better while holding their opponent below 45.0% shooting. The last loss happened April 2, 20013, in Milwaukee.

Horford scored a team-high 30 points for the Hawks. Bazemore scored 26 points while Millsap and Teague each scored 22 points. The Hawks scored a Rockets' opponent season-high 121 points -- despite Kyle Korver's 0 for 11 field goal shooting (0 for 10 threes).

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