Instant Takeaways: Hawks launch Past Rockets in Summer League Clash

Coming into this game, the Hawks had secured two impressive wins against the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns, which put them in a strong position to qualify for the Summer League semifinals. Today, they played one of the worst teams in the Summer League, the Houston Rockets, who came into this game with a 0-2 record and were one of the least efficient teams. This game was the first Summer League game to go into overtime this summer, and let's say it wasn't anything short of extraordinary and anything short of a struggle to victory for the Hawks.

1. Inconsistency on defense and easy scoring opportunities

In the first half, the Hawks had an abysmal start against a struggling team, to say the least, and this has been the story of the last few games they've had in the Summer League. The Hawks allowed nine different Rockets players to score in the first quarter, which led to Houston shooting 50% from the field, a nine percent increase from their 41% average for Summer League. Throughout the game, the Rockets scored off open three-point shooting, transition baskets off turnovers, and easy points inside the paint from constant actions off screens. The Hawks played better team basketball in the second half and stopped relying too heavily on isolation plays, which ultimately helped them close the deal in overtime.

2. Kobe Bufkin had a up in the air performance

Throughout the game, Bufkin was inconsistent. In the first half alone, he committed five fouls, which is halfway to the Summer League limit of ten, and finished the game with nine turnovers and seven fouls. However, in the second half, he finally showed up and gave the Hawks what they've been expecting out of him heading into his third season, as he cut the Rockets' 16-point lead to eight on a solo 8-0 Run and finish with clean, efficient shooting splits. He shot 53% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 83% from the free-throw line. His overall impact was noticeable, however, as he finished with 25 points, three assists, six rebounds, two steals, and one block as he closed out the Rockets in overtime with the game-sealing free throws as well as clutch baskets to start.