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Keys to the Game

3. Getting to the Line

For the evening, the Houston Rockets shot 17-of-22 from the free throw line. James Harden led the way with 12-of-13 shooting from the charity stripe.

The Atlanta Hawks finished 6-of-7 on freebies.

That is a differential of 11 makes and 15 attempts. For a game that was much closer than the 19-point deficit would suggest, those 11 made free throws appear to be important.

Appearances are not deceiving here, folks. They were.

2. Difference in Backcourts

At the end of this game, one thing was perfectly clear: the Houston Rockets blew the Atlanta Hawks' backcourt out of the building.

This is with all due respect to Lou Williams, who scored 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting. The fact of the matter is, there was no support.

Jeff Teague scored 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting. His nine assists were only as impressive as his five turnovers and starter-worst +/- of negative-10.

And then there was Houston.

James Harden scored 28 points, while Jeremy Lin added 16 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Toney Douglas added an additional 10.

The star, however, was Carlos Delfino.

Delfino dropped in 22 points, eight assists, four rebounds and a steal on 8-of-10 shooting. He connected on a season-high six three-pointers and single-handedly controlled momentum.

A masterful performance by the Argentinian wingman.

1. Three-Point Shooting

The Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks put on a clinic with three-ball.

For the evening, Houston and Atlanta combined for 28 three-pointers made. Houston connected with 16 of those, with Carlos Delfino leading the way.

Delfino drained a season-high six three-balls during his first game back from food poisoning.

Joining Delfino was Marcus Morris, who connected on three three-pointers. Patrick Patterson and James Harden each hit two.

Overall, seven different Rockets connected from distance. Even Donatas Motiejunas drained one.

Atlanta was able to connect on 12 of their own, but they hit four less than the opposition. Considering this one was decided by 19 points, you can see how important those four three-pointers were.

A memorable game that will be remembered as a three-point slugfest. One which saw the Rockets emerged victorious.

Houston Rockets box score via NBA.com.

Atlanta Hawks box score via NBA.com.

Jeremy Lin from beyond the arc, giving the team 15 buckets. 16 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks for Lin.

Do you believe yet?

Atlanta Hawks 100, Houston Rockets 118 — 2:14 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Marcus Morris to Omer Asik for the sloppiest Alley-Oop conversion ever!

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Jeremy Lin hits Marcus Morris for a shot from beyond the arc! Houston with their 14th three-pointer.

That's a nice way to win a game. Especially when you have no defense.

Every time James Harden drives to the lane, he draws a foul. That time was no different.

Harden has scored at least 25 in nine consecutive games.

Rookie John Jenkins responds with an And-One.

The Atlanta Hawks pull within five on a John Jenkins three-pointer. Carlos Delfino responds with a three of his own and then gets a two in transition.

Jeremy Lin with the beautiful feed. Delfino with six three-pointers.

Jeff Teague, meanwhile, continues to have one of the worst games you'll ever see.

Houston is stalling and Atlanta is firing on all cylinders. Could the Hawks pull off the comeback W?

Rockets suddenly shaky offense, Hawks treys keeping it tight. Rockets by 8. Difference is that Teague 1 of 12 with Devin Harris still out.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 1, 2013

DeShawn Stevenson with the layup and Atlanta has cut the lead back down to 10 points. The Hawks are attacking the paint and proving one important fact.

Houston has no shot blockers.

Zaza Pachulia for two and Atlanta is within eight. 9-2 run for the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks 94, Houston Rockets 102 — 5:46 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Carlos Delfino with another three-pointer. That's 17 points on five three-pointers on the game for Delfino.

Houston is on a roll.

The Atlanta Hawks have scored six points during the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. Carlos Delfino with a three-pointer to respond.

You can see how badly Atlanta misses Devin Harris tonight.

Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks

Al Horford: 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Josh Smith: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 blocks
DeShawn Stevenson: 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal 
Jeff Teague: 3 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds
Louis Williams: 21 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 block

Houston Rockets

Omer Asik: 7 points, 16 rebounds, 1 block
Carlos Delfino: 11 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
James Harden: 25 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Jeremy Lin: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Marcus Morris: 12 points, 3 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal

Toney Douglas stays with a miss and gets a beautiful finish off of the hustle. You have to wonder why Mike D'Antoni buried him on the depth chart in New York.

Moments later, he'd hit a buzzer-beater that doesn't count.

Lou Williams with an incredible inside-out move to fake the boots off of Toney Douglas. Finishes with a jump shot.

Carlos Delfino responds with a three-pointer.

Carlos Delfino has been the spark for Houston tonight.

Delfino really makin things happen in his first game back from food poisoning. 6pts, 6 assists in 13 min so far #RedNation

— Howard Chen (@ho_chenCSN) January 1, 2013

Unfortunately, Atlanta has the momentum.

James Harden just missed a wide-open lay-up but drew the foul on a second chance opportunity.

Carlos Delfino goes through Al Horford's legs for the assist to Omer Asik. James Harden follows with two free throws.

Jeremy Lin picks up his third block of the game. Impressive defensive performance by Lin.

Lou Williams, again, counters.

James Harden for three.

CSN Houston correspondent Howard Chen with a spot-on description.

This was 64-46 #Rockets at the half. Midway thru 3Q, Hawks have cut it to an 8pt game. #RedNation

— Howard Chen (@ho_chenCSN) January 1, 2013

Lou Williams with a huge two points to counter a quick Houston run. Josh Smith then swats the life out of Chandler Parsons.

Williams then drops in a three-pointer, tallying his eighth points of the quarter. Houston now within 10.

Atlanta Hawks 62, Houston Rockets 72 —6:55 remaining in the Third Quarter

Jeff Teague hits the three-pointer for his first points of the game. 1-of-9 from the floor.

Atlanta Hawks 55, Houston Rockets 68 —9:05 remaining in the Third Quarter

Marcus Morris with yet another jump shot. Said it a calendar year ago and I will said it again.

This kid is going to be a star.

Atlanta Hawks 52, Houston Rockets 68 —9:44 remaining in the Third Quarter

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Lou Williams and Josh Smith drop in two consecutive three-pointers. We're now within 12 points in Houston.

17 for Smith and 9 for Williams.

Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks

Al Horford: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Josh Smith: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
DeShawn Stevenson: 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal 
Jeff Teague: 3 assists
Louis Williams: 6 points, 2 assists, 1 steal

Houston Rockets

Omer Asik: 5 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block
Carlos Delfino: 6 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds
James Harden: 11 points, 2 assists
Jeremy Lin: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Marcus Morris: 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist

Josh Smith drops in two free throws and then drains it from beyond the arc. Five straight points from Smith and a shot clock violation has Atlanta making a run.

As does Houston's nine first half turnovers.

Smith connects on another freebies and Atlanta is down 14.

Atlanta Hawks 46, Houston Rockets 60 — 1:02 remaining in the Second Quarter