Rockets Burned Late in Phoenix, Suffer Tough 124-121 Loss to Suns
Dennis the Menace. Whistle While You Work. No Paul, No Problem.
“We’ve never had fun like that before,” several Houston players said to the newest member of the squad, Dennis Schroder, after Wednesday night’s 124-121 loss to Phoenix. Despite the losing effort, the Rockets played one of their best games of the season, taking the best team in the league all the way down to the wire. Eric Gordon missed a game-tying potential three as the horn sounded, and the Suns escaped with a 3-point victory to extend their winning streak to 7 games. In only his second game as a Rocket, Schroder make a huge impact on the game and his teammates. Starting in place of Kevin Porter Jr., Schroder was the best Houston player all night. Attacking the Phoenix, and encouraging his teammates as a player-coach while he was on the bench. Granted, Christian Wood didn’t play as well, so that opened up more opportunities for Schroder, who excelled as floor general for the Rockets. The veteran leadership he instilled in Wednesday’s loss is something this young Houston team hasn’t experienced before. Unfortunately, the Rockets couldn’t pull off the upset, but they got promising returns from Schroder in only his second game with the franchise.
Alperen Sengun had arguably his best game of the season as well. Starting in place of Wood, Sengun had a monstrous 19-point, 14-rebound double-double, and was proficient from long range. Jae’Sean Tate scored 22 points and exemplified his role as the team’s versatile Swiss Army Knife. Jalen Green added 17 points as he gears up for the All-Star festivities in Cleveland this weekend. Looking at the final results, Houston played one of their best games of the season, but fell short to arguably the best team in the NBA, and a squad in the Suns that has a legitimate chance to win the title this season. Ironically enough, Chris Paul, who was ejected early in the third quarter, seemed to turn the tide of the contest. The Rockets were in control with CP3 on the court, building an 8-point halftime lead. However, once Paul was ejected (for making contact with an official), the Suns switched to a zone, and put Houston’s offense in fits.
Overall, it was a questionably-called game by the officials. From the opening tip the refs where ready too whistle while they worked, and up to the CP3 ejection, many calls in this matchup were eye-brow raising. Sure, Paul’s reputation with the refs as an instigator certainly initiated the officials’ quick trigger, but any other player, and that’s likely only a technical foul. Regardless, the Rockets might’ve been better off had CP3 remained in the contest, but that’s a story for another day. Devin Booker scored 24 points, and DeAndre Ayton added 23 points to ensure Phoenix kept their winning streak alive. Houston will get Christian Wood back tomorrow night as they wrap up their final game before the All-Star break in their first matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers… and hopefully another installment of four fun quarters.