Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets 107-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns is a perfect example of why the Rockets can't win without some production coming from the non-bearded members of their roster.

James Harden dropped 38 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 7-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. The rest of the Rockets scored 67 points, but they did so on just 26-of-69 (37.7%) shooting on the night.

The Suns' bench dominated the Rockets, with 55 of their 107 points, with Jared Dudley leading the way with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

Goran Dragic saved his best for last, scoring 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, including some crucial free throws down the stretch.

Blame it on the back-to-back games for the Rockets, but Houston simply looked one step behind the Suns for the majority of the night. 

It's like the Rockets don't want to separate themselves from the bottom half of the playoff picture out West.

There were 35 combined turnovers and 44 personal fouls. It was an ugly, albeit offensively explosive game, that shockingly the Rockets lost. They usually win those ones, but that's what happen when you rely solely on offense.

Harden's 38p, 5r, 8a not enough as Los @suns earn the 107-105 W vs @houstonrockets on #NocheLatina in PHX. Dudley led w/ 22p, 7a.

— NBA (@NBA) March 10, 2013

James Harden keeps it interesting with a long-range three ball. Goran Dragic heads to the line with 5.4 left.

Suns 105, Rockets 102--5.4 remaining in the 4th 

That turnover by Patrick Beverly all but ends this one with 8.2 left as Morris heads to the line.

It begs the question of why Beverly is even in the game at this point. 

Suns 104, Rockets 99--8.2 remaining in the 4th quarter

Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sport

Dragic adds another free throw to give him 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Suns 104, Rockets 99--11.1 remaining in the 4th quarter

10 points for Dragic in the fourth quarter. He only had 5 the rest of the game. Good time for him to step his game up.

Suns 103, Rockets 99--11.1 remaining in the 4th quarter

Goran Dragic, with his 6th point of the fourth quarter, puts the icing on the cake for the Suns.

Suns 101, Rockets 96--26.4 remaining in the 4th quarter

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Harden wisely gets to the line. Stops the clock, but misses the front end.

Suns 99, Rockets 93--1:27 remaining in the 4th quarter

The Rockets DESPERATELY need a defensive stop. I'm not sure that's in their "commonly used" word band.

Suns 99, Rockets 92--2:11 remaining in the 4th quarter

Let's see what Harden can do here--clank a three ball, that's what he can do.

Goran Dragic with his first two bucks in quite some time keeps the Suns in the drivers seat in this one.

Suns 97, Rockets 92--3:15 remaining in the 4th quarter

#BeardAlert: Harden starting to take over. A 3 and a +1 runner has the Rockets within 1, 92-93, 4:00 left. 31p for @jharden13.

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 10, 2013

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden with a beard-sized three-pout play to bring the Rockets within one point.

The 8th wonder of the world has 31 points, seven assists and 5 rebounds.

Suns 83, Rockets 92--4:00 remaining in the 4th quarter

Marshall shot changed to 2. Suns lead 93-86, 5:46 left. Harden close to a points-assists-turnovers triple-double. Has 25-7-8. Lin w 7 tos.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 10, 2013

I've seen more cross-court passes tonight than I've seen all season. These guys are just asking for steals and turnovers.

Suns 93, Rockets 86--5:46 remaining in the 4th quarter

The Rockets are lucky that Carlos Delfino decided to score off the bench, because without his 18 points, the Rockets would have just 9 bench points. 

Suns 87, Rockets 86--7:15 remaining in the 4th quarter

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

33 combined turnovers. It's been one of those games, and it's not because of solid defense.

Suns 81, Rockets 81--8:41 remaining in the 4th quarter

Someone should tell James Harden in the next timeout that no one else on his team is heating shots but him, because he's passing up jumpers a bit too often.

Suns 81, Rockets 81--8:41 remaining in the 4th quarter

Only 17 combined points from former Rockets Scola/Dragic/Morris as PHX bench has done the most damage. #Del3no off HOU bench w/15p, up 2.

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 10, 2013

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden is clearly feeling tired from their back-to-back games. Even layups are starting to come up short.

Rockets 81, Suns 79--10:00 remaining in the 4th quarter

I absolutely love that Hamed Haddadi is number 98. Just saying.

Rockets 81, Suns 77--11:03 remaining in the 4th quarter

After 3, the Rockets trail the Suns 76-77. @jharden13 just warming up with 25p/6a (but w/ 7 turnovers). Expecting a big 4th from the Beard.

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 10, 2013

The Suns are the one team that randomly shows spurts of being a playoff team while hovering around the bottom of the NBA.

Even with an awful shooting performance by the non-bearded members of the Rockets--20-of-53 from the floor--the Rockets are down just one as the fourth quarter gets under way.

Suns 77, Rockets 76--start of the 4th quarter

The problem with this is that the rest of the Suns aren't interested in putting an end to their shooting -- 

Harden's shooting 70% so far tonight. The rest of the Rockets are shooting 37.7% so far. #RedNation

— Howard Chen (@ho_chenCSN) March 10, 2013

Suns 77, Rockets 76--end of the 3rd quarter

Rockets offense: drive and kick, drive and kick. Suns still fall for it

— BrightSideoftheSun (@BrightSideSun) March 10, 2013

Please enter Hamed Haddadi into the worst free throw shooters in the NBA contest--now featuring him, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard.

Rockets 74, Suns 72--41.3 remaining in the 3rd quarter