Rockets Rise Past Suns, 119-111, for Second Straight Win
Leading the Way. Terror Takeover. Role Reversal.
Tari Eason led a balanced offensive attack for Houston, scoring 25 points as the Rockets rallied past the Phoenix Suns for a 119-111 victory on Wednesday night. Entering the final quarter, Houston faced an eight point deficit, but managed to outscore Phoenix 35-19 in the final frame en route to a comeback win. The Rockets survived a very efficient 37 point night from Kevin Durant to lead the Suns. Everyone contributed in this victory for Houston. The starters combined to score 111 of the team’s 119 total points. Jalen Green added 22 points, Dillon Brooks chipped in 18 points, and Alperen Sengun scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, as the All-Star secured another double-double on the season. But this comeback win for Houston was fueled by the terror twins.
Besides leading the Rockets with 25 points, Eason compiled 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in the victory. And Amen Thompson had a very quiet triple-double. Twin registered 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, marking the third triple-double of his young career. Thompson also had two blocks and steals apiece, as he and Eason terrorized Phoenix’s offense to kick-start Houston’s rally. The win marks the second straight for the Rockets after suffering a season-high six game losing streak. This contest also featured a bit of welcome role reversal for Houston, although it’d be nice to win a game comfortably every once in a while.
Instead of choking and gifting the game away as the Rockets seemed to do throughout their losing streak, Houston rallied back for the victory against Phoenix on Wednesday night. The fourth quarter has been the Rockets achilles heal this season, as they’ve struggled mightily in the final frame of games. Yet against the Suns, Houston managed to outscore Phoenix by 16 points, 35-19, to close the contest strong. It’s a welcome sign, but regardless, this Rockets team still seems to have hit a wall as we approach the All-Star break.
Houston will now have one more game, tomorrow, on Thursday night, as they host the Golden State Warriors in the final game before the break. The Rockets finally ended their historically ugly fifteen game skid to the Warriors in the previous meeting with Golden State, an NBA Cup quarterfinal win that advanced Houston to Las Vegas. Nonetheless, the Warriors just acquired Jimmy Butler in the trade deadline, only improving their roster, and increasing the chance of providing more headaches in Houston. As they did against the Suns, hopefully the Rockets can enter the All-Star break with a victory.