Hawks entertain Harden, Rockets

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Hawks halted a three-game losing streak last time out and will try to maintain some momentum Friday night when they host the Houston Rockets at Philips Arena.

On Wednesday, the Hawks toppled the Eastern Conference's best, the Indiana Pacers, 97-87 in Atlanta. That was their first victory of the new year after losses to the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets.

"We've lost a bunch of games lately, and they've all been close," said Kyle Korver. "To have a good start against a good team at home, it was really big for us."

Korver shot 6-of-8 from the floor for 17 points and extended his streak of consecutive games with a 3-pointer to 105. Pero Antic matched a career-high with 16 points and Jeff Teague and Mike Scott scored 15 apiece. DeMarre Carroll chipped in 11 points.

The Hawks overcame a poor performance from Paul Millsap, who only had four points.

Atlanta has three of its next five at home.

The Rockets have won two straight after a two-game losing streak and will hit the friendly skies for four straight, starting with Friday night's contest in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, the Rockets had their way in the second half with the Los Angeles Lakers to the tune of 113-99.

James Harden poured in 38 points on 14-of-23 shooting and spearheaded Houston's second-half surge. The Lakers led 57-52 at the half, but Harden scored 17 points in the third to lead Houston to a 33-15 advantage.

"Everybody was being aggressive (in the second half). I just kind of played back and tried to get everybody involved," said Harden.

Harden has scored at least 35 points in three straight games, the first Rockets player to accomplish the feat since Tracy McGrady in 2006. He tied his season high point total and added five steals

Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones each posted double-doubles, with Howard totaling 20 points and 13 rebounds and Jones adding 15 points and 13 boards. Jeremy Lin added 13 points.

Chandler Parsons missed the Lakers game with a knee injury and is questionable for Friday.

The Rockets crushed the Hawks by 29 on Nov. 27 in Houston. That gave the Rockets a six-game winning streak in this series, although the Hawks are 7-4 in their last 11 at home against Houston.