Houston Rockets edge Phoenix Suns 96-89 – NBA Recap
The Houston Rockets have surprised a number of teams as well as analysts with their performances in the current NBA season. On Thursday they were at it again, putting in a robust display to outshine the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center 96 – 89.
Houston have enjoyed a stark change in fortunes since appointing former Boston Celtics legend Kevin McHale as their head coach. Kevin has done a fantastic job since coming in and tonight he had the Rockets bench firing on all cylinders as they beat the Suns on their turf.
Houston’s reserves outscored those from Phoenix 57 – 13. Amazingly, all five of the Rockets reserves who took to the court reached double figures, with Goran Dragic perhaps the pick of the bunch with a double-double at 11 points and 11 assists.
Among the starters, Luis Scola had 16 points, the team high, while Kyle Lowry netted 14.
Phoenix had Channing Frye on song, who scored the game high 21 points to go along with 10 boards for his double-double. Talismanic veteran Steve Nash was excellent as usual, dishing out 13 assists and scoring 14 points on a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor. Marcin Gortat was also noteworthy with 16 points and 9 rebounds.
The Suns seemed the stronger team at the start and had Houston on the ropes early, going up 14 – 6 within the first 3 minutes. Slowly but surely, the Rockets clawed their way back into it, and cut the deficit to just a single point at 25 – 24, 2:32 left to play. The Suns were though able to hold them off and finished the quarter ahead at 29 – 26.
Houston then did some serious damage in the second period as their reserves took to the court. The Rockets opened the segment with a blistering 17 – 3 run that gave them a double digit advantage, 43 – 32, and completely changed the complexion of the game. Phoenix weren’t able to make amends and the Rockets ended the first half on top with a significant advantage, 54 – 44.
After the break it was Phoenix’s turn to fire. The Suns, buoyed by a vocal home crowd, came back strong in the 3rd period and opened with a 16 – 3 blitz that put them ahead at 60 – 57. An intense battle followed afterwards but the Suns were able to keep a slight lead when the period ended at 76 – 74.
The final period was a pretty tightly contested affair until just after the halfway mark, when an 8 – 0 spurt by the Rockets put them in control, 92 – 85. The Suns never recovered and Houston ran out the clock, finishing off at 96 – 89.
Tags: