Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction
Points flew onto the scoreboard at rapid speeds, but the Phoenix Suns kept their foot on the gas a bit more firmly all night long. In a high-scoring Western Conference affair on the road, Phoenix got the best of the Houston Rockets, 117-102.
The Rockets jumped out to a red-hot start, shooting around 63 percent through the midpoint of the second quarter. After a surge by Eric Bledsoe, who had 23 points before the break, Phoenix managed to dig out of a 12-point hole to claim a one-point lead at the half. WIth Bledsoe’s work and superior transition excitement offensively, Phoenix opened up a 13-point lead in time for the final period—one they would never relinquish. Houston scored just two points in the final 5:05, just after cutting the lead to five.
Bledsoe finished with a career-high 34 points on 11-of-18 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Marcus and Markieff Morris added 17 points each. Alex Len struggled from the field all night, finishing with five points on 2-of-10 shooting, but luckily for Phoenix, not poorly enough to affect the final outcome.
On the heels of a career-high 50-point output on Thursday, James Harden struggled from the field all night. He finished with only 16 points on 5-of-19 shooting, including one-of-eight from the arc. A telling stat was his minus-27 plus-minus number on the evening. Donatas Motiejunas led the Rockers with 18 points, Trevor Ariza posted 15 points, 12 boards and five assists, and Josh Smith scored 17.
The victory pushes Phoenix to 37-33, still 2.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the West’s final playoff spot. They next face off Sunday at home against the Dallas Mavericks. Houston, now 46-23, is a game in front of the Portland Trail Blazers for the conference’s No. 3 spot. Their next contest is on the road, Monday against the Indiana Pacers.
