Suns secure a 110-105 victory over the Rockets with Devin Booker leading the scoring with 35 points, while Kevin Durant contributes 24
Phoenix Suns‘ Devin Booker and Houston Rockets’ Cam Whitmore were both hit with technical fouls after a minor scuffle during Thursday night’s game. Despite the altercation, the Suns emerged victorious with a 110-105 win over the Rockets, setting the stage for a rematch in Phoenix on Saturday. Jusuf Nurkic played a pivotal role for the Suns, contributing 16 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks before fouling out. His standout moment came in the fourth quarter when he denied Whitmore twice on consecutive possessions, much to the delight of the Phoenix crowd.
Booker led the scoring charge for the Suns with 35 points, while Kevin Durant added 24. Booker’s explosive performance included 20 points in the first quarter alone, helping the Suns build an early 18-point lead that they maintained throughout the game. This marked Booker’s sixth quarter of the season with at least 20 points, leading the NBA in this regard. Bradley Beal was sidelined for the fifth consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
Heading into the final quarter with an 86-75 lead, the Suns faced a resilient Rockets team that narrowed the gap to six points midway through the fourth. However, Booker responded emphatically with a crucial 3-pointer, extending the Suns’ lead to nine points. Tensions flared again between Booker and Whitmore, resulting in a brief skirmish. The Rockets’ Alperen Sengun compounded matters by fouling out and receiving two quick technicals, leading to his ejection.
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Booker capitalized on the technical free throws, and Nurkic added two more from Sengun’s foul, stretching the Suns’ lead to 99-84. Despite a late surge from the Rockets, the Suns held on for the win, with Royce O’Neale sealing the victory with two clutch free throws. Jalen Green led the Rockets’ scoring efforts with 34 points, supported by Fred VanVleet’s 21 points. However, Houston struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 11 of 45 3-point attempts and shooting 33.3% from the field overall, their worst percentage of the season.
Suns coach Frank Vogel emphasized his team’s growing confidence at home, as they extended their winning streak to nine games at the Phoenix Suns Arena. With seven wins in their last ten games, the Suns are determined to secure a top-six spot in the competitive Western Conference and avoid the play-in tournament. Conversely, the Rockets have struggled, losing eight of their last ten games.
Booker’s dominant first quarter set the tone for the Suns, who surged to a commanding 33-17 lead. His remarkable shooting display included a buzzer-beating 33-foot 3-pointer to cap off the quarter. At halftime, the Suns maintained their momentum with a 64-53 lead, fueled by Booker’s 26 points before the break. Green led the scoring for the Rockets with 21 points in the first half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Suns’ firepower.
In summary, the Suns’ resilience, led by Booker and supported by Nurkic’s defensive prowess, propelled them to victory against the Rockets. As they continue their push for playoff positioning, the Suns are buoyed by their strong home record and stellar performances from their star players. Conversely, the Rockets face challenges as they seek to turn their fortunes around amidst a tough stretch of games.
