Atlanta is also on the second night of a back-to-back, but Friday was easy on them. The Hawks beat Charlotte 128-81 for the biggest win in franchise history, breaking the old record of 46 points set against Sacramento in 2017. They forced 14 turnovers in the first half alone, scored 15 points off them and led by 25 at the break. That kind of game lets a coach sit his starters early.
The depth showed up too. Aaron Wiggins scored 19 off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting, all 5 starters finished in double figures, and Jalen Johnson had 19 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 14 and C.J. McCollum had 13. The opponent needs a footnote, though. Charlotte was missing LaMelo Ball, Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams and Kylan Boswell, and got booed in its own home opener.
The more useful number is the 125 Atlanta gave up in Orlando to open the season. Houston's half-court offense, with Sengun as a playmaker and Kevin Durant on the wing, will test the Hawks much more than a depleted Hornets roster did. If Atlanta lets Sengun pick his spots from the elbow the way San Antonio did, Friday's defensive showing won't mean much.
Atlanta is thin up front. Mouhamed Gueye is out after foot surgery and Henri Veesaar is out for the season with a torn ACL, so the Hawks have fewer bodies to throw at Sengun and Thompson on the glass. Houston's question is Sheppard and how much the late night in Austin takes out of its legs. This is 2 unbeaten teams in late October, and the one with fresher legs probably wins it.