Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets 12/31/12: Video Highlights and Recap

The Houston Rockets outlasted the Atlanta Hawks Monday night to win a high-scoring affair, 123-104.

If Atlanta could have found any sort of focus on the defensive end, this game would have been close. The Hawks received double-digit contributions from five different players, but a lack of defensive intensity and critical turnovers made the ultimate difference.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Houston was led by James Harden on the offensive end. The dynamic guard dropped 28 points on 7-of-17 shooting.

Even more important, though, may have been Carlos Delfino's 22 points and eight assists off the bench. The veteran guard shot 6-of-8 from three-point land and provided a nasty punch in nearly 30 minutes of playing time.

The Rockets took care of the ball, spread the floor and made sure Monday night's win was a team effort. By getting everyone involved, they shot well as a team and scored a huge victory.

For a complete look at the box score, check out NBA.com.

Player of the Game: Carlos Delfino

Delfino was the model of efficiency Monday night. Dropping 22 points would have been fine by itself, but doing it by shooting 75 percent from behind the arc and 80 percent overall is just absurd.

On top of his scoring, Delfino also managed to facilitate the offense to the tune of eight assists while keeping his turnover total at zero.

It's easy to give Harden credit, but Delfino's production was a pleasant surprise.

What's Next for the Atlanta Hawks?

The 19-10 Hawks will travel to face the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday.

What's Next for the Houston Rockets?

The 17-14 Rockets will host the Hornets on Wednesday.