On January 29, the NBA regular season showcased four intense matches. The Houston Rockets clinched a narrow victory against the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 100-96. The game marked their first encounter of the season, with the Rockets improving to a 30-14 record, placing them second in the Western Conference, while the Hawks stand at 22 wins and 23 losses.
First Half Overview
The Rockets set the pace early with a 7-2 run after a successful three-pointer by Green Dragon. However, the Hawks soon bounced back, delivering a 12-0 sprint. Relying on strong post-play, Shen Jing helped the Hawks retain a slight edge, as the Rockets trailed by five points at the end of the first quarter. Jalen Green, regaining his momentum, contributed 11 crucial points, narrowing the gap to four.
Second Half Overview
Coming back from the break, the Hawks' offense stalled, and the Rockets capitalized on this, executing successful counterattacks led by Jalen Green, who helped extend the lead by nine points. Although the Hawks fought back, closing the gap to a mere two points, a missed three-pointer by Hunter at a critical moment allowed the Rockets to hold their ground. They narrowly escaped with the win, marking their fourth consecutive victory and Shen Jing achieved a personal milestone of 4000 career points.
Noteworthy performances included Eric Gordon contributing 21 points with nine assists while committing eight turnovers, and Hunter scoring 16 points.
Lakers vs. 76ers: Unexpected Turn of Events
The second match saw the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Philadelphia 76ers. Davis had to leave the game due to an injury in the first quarter, leaving Brownie in the key rotation role. The Lakers struggled initially against Maxi's defense, allowing Maxi to score an impressive 43 points in the game.
In the second half, Maxi's performance was consistent, and the Lakers found themselves trailing by double digits multiple times. Despite attempts by James to retaliate with a significant scoring drive, led by Uber and others contributing effectively, the Lakers couldn't catch up. The final score stood at 104-118, handing the Lakers a defeat.
Maxi showcased remarkable form with 31 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists while Brownie’s efforts with three rebounds and one assist were less impactful.
Warriors Conquer Grizzlies
The Golden State Warriors emerged victorious against the Memphis Grizzlies, with a final score of 117-103. The Warriors, currently ranking 22-23, exhibited a commendable performance, gradually closing in and equalizing the score after trailing early. Throughout the second half, multi-faceted plays from both teams kept the competition fierce. However, persistent attempts by the Grizzlies to overturn their disadvantage fell short, culminating in a Warriors' win.
The Warriors, led by decisive plays from various positions, outmatched the Grizzlies, extending their lead to double digits by the third quarter's end. Attempts by the Grizzlies to reclaim the lead were thwarted by strategic defense and high-scoring efficiency from the Warriors, sealing their victory at the close.
