HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Atlanta Hawks will visit the Houston Rockets on Monday at Toyota Center in Houston, a matchup of early-season teams heading in different directions. Houston is 3-0, while Atlanta is 2-1. The Rockets will try to stay unbeaten and protect home court, while the Hawks seek a road win against one of the Western Conference’s early pace-setters.

Houston enters after a 121-114 win at Atlanta in the teams’ most recent meeting. The Rockets have also beaten San Antonio and Dallas, building early momentum behind a balanced offense and strong inside play. Alperen Sengun is the player to watch for Houston. The center has been productive in each of the team’s first three games, including a double-double in the win over Atlanta, and he gives Houston an interior scoring and playmaking presence. Sengun opened with 23 points and 10 rebounds against Dallas, then scored 29 at San Antonio before posting 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists against Atlanta. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard also contributed in the first meeting, giving the Rockets multiple options around Sengun.

Atlanta will counter with Jalen Johnson, who has been one of the team’s most active all-around performers. Johnson had a strong outing in the loss to Houston, pairing scoring with rebounding and assists, and he followed with productive games in wins over Charlotte and Orlando. He opened the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds at Orlando, then added 19 points, seven rebounds and eight assists at Charlotte before his big all-around game against Houston. Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also gave Atlanta scoring support in the first meeting. The Hawks will need Johnson to help control pace and create offense against a Houston team that has opened the season with three wins.

The game offers an early test of Atlanta’s ability to rebound from a loss to the same opponent and of Houston’s ability to remain unbeaten. The Rockets have the home crowd and early form on their side, but the Hawks have shown scoring depth through the first three games. Atlanta’s defense will need to account for Sengun inside while limiting Houston’s supporting guards. Houston will try to pressure Johnson and force Atlanta into difficult shots. After Monday, Atlanta is scheduled to return home to face Miami, while Houston is set to travel to Milwaukee.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Houston 114, Atlanta 113. Interstat’s ELO system gives Houston a 73.5 percent probability to win. Houston is installed as a 5.5-point favorite, and the over/under is 229.5.