Houston @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 30, 2019 ) Atlanta 111, Houston 158

The Houston Rockets wouldn't quit scoring in their first meeting of the season with Atlanta and look to make the scoreboard work overtime again when they visit the Hawks on Wednesday. Star guard James Harden scored 60 points and Houston rolled to a decisive 158-111 home win over Atlanta on Nov. 30, when it scored 81 points in the first half and 77 in the second.

Harden didn't play in the fourth quarter while racking up the fourth 60-point effort of his career and the Rockets knocked down 25 3-pointers in the easy triumph. Houston is well-rested for the rematch as it has played just once in 2020, that being a 118-108 home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers last Friday. Atlanta suffered a 123-115 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday for its 12th setback in the past 14 games. The Hawks had no answer on how to stop Denver star center Nikola Jokic, who scored a career-best 47 points on 16-of-25 shooting in the contest.

TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, FS Southeast

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (24-11): Harden recorded 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against Philadelphia for his first triple-double of this season and 43rd of his career. Harden notched 14 40-point efforts this season and made six 3-pointers in each of the past four games. "He just understands the game, sees it and knows where he wants them," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters of Harden. "They stay out, he throws a lob. They come in, he throws that. He's got that little runner, his 3s are all over the place. I mean, he's really good. He's one of the best ever."

ABOUT THE HAWKS (8-29): Star guard Trae Young had 37 points in the loss to Houston earlier this season and tuned up for the rematch by producing 29 points and 12 assists against the Nuggets. Young was efficient by hitting 8-of-12 field-goal attempts -- including 4-of-5 from 3-point range -- and making all nine free-throw attempts. Power forward John Collins scored 17 points against Denver after missing one game with a back contusion.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets won the past five meetings after the Hawks prevailed in the previous seven.

2. Atlanta F Jabari Parker (shoulder, illness) missed five of the past six games.

3. Houston C Clint Capela scored a season-best 30 points against Philadelphia and also collected 14 rebounds for his 23rd double-double of the campaign.

PREDICTION: Rockets 138, Hawks 114