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The Rockets will try to keep their winning ways going through the weekend as they'll travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday before heading back to the Toyota Center to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
While the new-look Rockets made a statement against the Pistons on Wednesday with a 105-96 win, the entirely different-looking Hawks will have their first game of the season on Friday against the Rockets. Without Joe Johnson, the Hawks will instead look for Josh Smith to carry the load.
On Saturday, the Rockets will travel back home to the Toyota Center in Houston, where they'll face the Trail Blazers. After a big win over the Lakers on Wednesday, the Trail Blazers will have their gauntlet against Western Conference powers continue against the Thunder on Friday before facing the Rockets on Saturday.
That gauntlet will continue for the Trail Blazers with games against the Mavericks, Clippers and Spurs before finally dropping in difficulty. Also on Friday will be a key Western Conference matchup when the Lakers play host to the Clippers in a game between the two tenants of Staples Center in Los Angeles.