NBA

• Streaking Hawks host Rockets at Philips Arena

  
  

  (Sports Network) - Owners of the best record in the Eastern Conference at 10-2, the Atlanta Hawks will shoot for their seventh straight win when they close out a four-game homestand tonight versus the Houston Rockets at Philips Arena.

  Atlanta improved to 3-0 on the residency and recorded its sixth consecutive triumph with Wednesday's 105-90 decision over the Miami Heat. Joe Johnson netted a game-best 30 points and helped limit Heat All-Star Dwyane Wade to 15 points. Josh Smith ended with 16 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for Southeast Division-leading Atlanta, which improved to 6-0 at home this season.

  "We've been pretty good here at Philips," Johnson said. "We want to keep working. Just try to keep our heads on right, don't get overconfident, just keep playing hard." Al Horford added 16 points and 12 boards in a winning effort.

  Meanwhile, the Rockets have alternated wins and losses over their last nine games and are coming off Wednesday's 97-84 victory at Minnesota.

  Luis Scola recorded 20 points and 16 rebounds, while Trevor Ariza had 18 points for the Rockets, who have won nine straight against Minnesota and sent the Wolves to their 11th straight loss. Aaron Brooks ended with 13 points and Charles Hayes notched 11 and 10 rebounds in a winning cause.

  "I think this type of game is very important for us. We can't afford to lose," said Scola.

  Houston and Atlanta split a pair of meetings last season, while the Rockets have won three of the last four matchups between the clubs. The Rockets, though, have dropped six of its last eight at Philips Arena.

  11/20 10:41:56 ET