Rockets vs. Hawks score update: Houston leads Atlanta, 53-44 at the half

Houston Rockets guard James Harden is showing how he is a player worth a maximum contract. In the first half against the Atlanta Hawks, he is leading all players with 18 points. Harden has helped the Rockets take a 53-44 lead at the half. The other Rockets player in double figures is Marcus Morris; the power forward came off the bench to score 10 points.

The Rockets got off to a fast start in the first quarter, as they raced out to a 28-21 lead, using an 18-7 run near the end of the quarter to take the lead. The second quarter saw the teams play more evenly match, with the Rockets outscoring the Hawks by two points.

Neither team is shooting particularly well so far. The Rockets are shooting just 42 percent from the field and 2 of 17 from three-point range. While the Hawks are shooting 40 percent and 3 of 12 from beyond the arc.

The Hawks are having a balanced attack, as no players are in double figures. Their leading scorer is point guard Devin Harris, who has nine points.