Rockets Opponent Season Preview: Atlanta Hawks
HOUSTON — April 10 marked the last time the Houston Rockets played a regular season game to close out the 2021-22 campaign. The Rockets sustained a 130-114 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks despite Jalen Green scoring a career-best 41 points.
Six months later, the Rockets will have a chance at redemption on Oct. 19 in a road match against the Hawks. The interconference contest inside the State Farm Arena will mark the first of the Rockets' 82-game season for the 2022-23 campaign.
Houston's season opener in Atlanta will not be easy. The Hawks made one of the most notorious moves of the off-season with the acquisition of All-Star guard Dejounte Murray.
By pairing Murray with Trae Young, the Hawks have put together an explosive backcourt that should help the franchise become a top-six eastern conference team next season. Atlanta landed Murray in June following a trade with the San Antonio Spurs.
Murray's contest against the Rockets always makes for a must-watch game while playing against his childhood friend and former high school teammate, Kevin Porter Jr. Murray holds a 3-2 record against Porter.
Porter's best game against Murray took place on Mar. 28 in a Rockets' 123-120 home loss to the Spurs. Porter fell short of a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the loss.
Key additions: Jarrett Culver, Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky and Dejounte Murray.
Key subtractions: Gorgui Dieng, Kevin Knox and Lou Williams
2021-22 season series: Rockets 1, Hawks 1
2022-23 season matchups: Oct. 19 (Away) and Nov. 25 (Home)
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