Game ID: 22300418
Phoenix Suns @ Houston Rockets
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 24 31 29 29 113PHX 30 43 31 25 129
HOU vs PHX ScoutingHOU vs PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 4 since 12/13, returns tonight: 8 min (38% of 22)
OUT Whitmore missed 7 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Landale back 12/13 after 3, 8 min since (56% of 14)
NEW Eason 22 to 28 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 8 since 12/06, returns tonight: 14 min (76% of 19)
BACK Thompson back 12/20 after 4, 8 min since (38% of 22)
BACK Landale back 12/13 after 3, 8 min since (56% of 14)
NEW Eason 22 to 28 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Eason missed 2 since 12/20, returns tonight: 20 min (94% of 22)
BACK Thompson back 12/20 after 4, 15 min since (67% of 22)
BACK Whitmore back 12/22 after 8, 14 min since (76% of 19)
HOU availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restBACK Thompson back 12/20 after 4, 14 min since (60% of 22)
BACK Eason back 12/23 after 2, 20 min since (94% of 22)
BACK Whitmore back 12/22 after 8, 14 min since (76% of 19)
HOU availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Whitmore missed 2 since 12/23, returns tonight: 18 min (95% of 19)
OUT Landale missed 2 since 12/23, returns tonight: 12 min (88% of 14)
BACK Thompson back 12/20 after 4, 13 min since (59% of 22)
BACK Eason back 12/23 after 2, 23 min since (106% of 22)
HOU availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restBACK Thompson back 12/20 after 4, 14 min since (62% of 22)
BACK Eason back 12/23 after 2, 24 min since (110% of 22)
BACK Whitmore back 12/22 after 8, 16 min since (86% of 19)
BACK Landale back 12/27 after 2, 12 min since (88% of 14)
HOU availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Brooks missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
BACK Eason back 12/23 after 2, 25 min since (114% of 22)
BACK Whitmore back 12/22 after 8, 16 min since (86% of 19)
BACK Landale back 12/27 after 2, 10 min since (72% of 14)
HOU availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 3 since 12/27, out tonight
BACK Eason back 12/23 after 2, 25 min since (113% of 22)
BACK Whitmore back 12/27 after 2, 13 min since (68% of 19)
BACK Landale back 12/27 after 2, 9 min since (65% of 14)
NEW Tate 16 to 22 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 4 since 12/27, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 12/27 after 2, 14 min since (75% of 19)
BACK Landale back 12/27 after 2, 9 min since (65% of 14)
NEW Tate 16 to 26 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/17 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 2 since 12/13, returns tonight: 30 min (109% of 28)
OUT Okogie missed 2 since 12/13, out tonight
BACK Durant back 12/13 after 2, 37 min since (98% of 38)
BACK Beal back 12/12 after 12, 22 min since (65% of 34)
BACK Allen back 12/15 after 3, 36 min since (107% of 33)
BACK Metu back 12/08 after 2, 20 min since (163% of 12)
BACK Bol back 12/08 after 14, 3 min since (24% of 11)
NEW Goodwin 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/19 · 1 day's restOUT Okogie missed 3 since 12/13, out tonight
BACK Durant back 12/13 after 2, 36 min since (96% of 38)
BACK Beal back 12/12 after 12, 22 min since (65% of 34)
BACK Allen back 12/15 after 3, 34 min since (104% of 33)
BACK Gordon back 12/17 after 2, 30 min since (109% of 28)
BACK Metu back 12/08 after 2, 18 min since (146% of 12)
BACK Bol back 12/08 after 14, 3 min since (24% of 11)
NEW Goodwin 14 to 24 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/22 · 2 days' restOUT Beal missed 2 since 12/17, out tonight
OUT Okogie missed 4 since 12/13, out tonight
OUT Bates-Diop missed 2 since 12/17, out tonight
OUT Watanabe missed 2 since 12/17, returns tonight: 12 min (89% of 13)
OUT Bol missed 2 since 12/17, returns tonight: 3 min (32% of 11)
BACK Durant back 12/13 after 2, 37 min since (98% of 38)
BACK Allen back 12/15 after 3, 34 min since (102% of 33)
BACK Gordon back 12/17 after 2, 30 min since (106% of 28)
NEW Goodwin 14 to 24 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/25 · 2 days' restOUT Beal missed 3 since 12/17, out tonight
OUT Okogie missed 5 since 12/13, returns tonight: 12 min (79% of 16)
OUT Bates-Diop missed 3 since 12/17, out tonight
BACK Durant back 12/13 after 2, 36 min since (97% of 38)
BACK Allen back 12/15 after 3, 33 min since (99% of 33)
BACK Gordon back 12/17 after 2, 28 min since (100% of 28)
BACK Watanabe back 12/22 after 2, 12 min since (89% of 13)
BACK Bol back 12/22 after 2, 3 min since (32% of 11)
NEW Goodwin 14 to 21 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 4 since 12/17, out tonight
OUT Nurkić missed 2 since 12/22, returns tonight: 14 min (52% of 27)
OUT Bates-Diop missed 4 since 12/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 12/15 after 3, 34 min since (103% of 33)
BACK Gordon back 12/17 after 2, 30 min since (108% of 28)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 12 min since (79% of 16)
BACK Watanabe back 12/22 after 2, 12 min since (89% of 13)
BACK Bol back 12/22 after 2, 3 min since (32% of 11)
PHX availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 5 since 12/17, returns tonight: 30 min (89% of 34)
OUT Bates-Diop missed 5 since 12/17, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 12/17 after 2, 32 min since (115% of 28)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 14 min since (52% of 27)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 11 min since (71% of 16)
BACK Watanabe back 12/22 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 13)
BACK Bol back 12/22 after 2, 2 min since (23% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 17 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Eubanks missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Bates-Diop missed 6 since 12/17, out tonight
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 30 min since (89% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 21 min since (78% of 27)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 11 min since (71% of 16)
BACK Watanabe back 12/22 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 13)
BACK Bol back 12/22 after 2, 2 min since (23% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/01 · back-to-backOUT Eubanks missed 3 since 12/27, returns tonight: 6 min (36% of 16)
OUT Bates-Diop missed 7 since 12/17, returns tonight: 17 min (109% of 15)
OUT Watanabe missed 2 since 12/29, returns tonight: 6 min (42% of 13)
OUT Bol missed 2 since 12/29, returns tonight: 20 min (186% of 11)
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 32 min since (96% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 10 min since (63% of 16)
NEW Metu 12 to 20 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restBACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 33 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 6 min since (36% of 16)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 12 min since (77% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 17 min since (109% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 6 min since (42% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 20 min since (186% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 22 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sengun at 25 and VanVleet at 19 a game. Without Whitmore (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 28 from three, 25 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Booker at 25 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Beal (4 straight), Nurkić (2 straight), Bates-Diop (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 34 percent from three to Phoenix's 28. Call it Houston 117, Phoenix 113, Phoenix keeping it close.
12/20 vs ATL 127-134 — HOU notes
HOU lost 127-134. HOU shot 49% (44 of 89) to ATL's 52%, 16 of 34 from three. Smith Jr. led with 34 (8 of 14, 4 of 7 from three, 14 of 14 at the line); VanVleet added 32, Brooks 19. Q3 was theirs, 35-21, turning a 12-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 113-92 against them.
12/22 vs DAL 122-96 — HOU notes
HOU won 122-96. HOU shot 48% (46 of 95) to DAL's 35%, 11 of 38 from three. HOU turned it over 16 times to DAL's 11, and DAL turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 63-47 for them. Sengun led with 22 (8 of 12); Smith Jr. added 21, Ja. Green 17. The hinge was Q3, 33-21: a lead of 17 became 29, and the lead reached 38. Smith Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +37.
12/23 @ NOP 106-104 — HOU notes
HOU won 106-104. HOU shot 43% (35 of 82) to NOP's 46%, 9 of 29 from three, and went to the line 35 times to NOP's 29 — 27 points from the stripe to their 20. HOU turned it over 11 times to NOP's 16. Sengun led with 37 (11 of 21, 14 of 17 at the line); Smith Jr. added 26, VanVleet 10. The hinge was Q4, 27-20: HOU came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 2. HOU trailed 47-51 at the half and won the second half 59-53. Brooks was the night's best plus/minus at +6.
12/26 vs IND 117-123 — HOU notes
HOU lost 117-123. HOU took 15 more shots (97 to 82), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 48% to IND's 52%, 5 of 24 from three. HOU turned it over 10 times to IND's 20. Sengun led with 30 (11 of 20, 8 of 9 at the line); VanVleet added 18, Eason 16. Q4 was theirs, 27-22, the deficit cut from 11 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 101-90 against them. They led by as many as 10. Ja. Green's -19 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 vs PHX 113-129 — HOU notes
HOU lost 113-129. HOU took 14 more shots (96 to 82), but shot 42% to PHX's 57%, 17 of 41 from three. HOU turned it over 9 times to PHX's 19. The glass went 33-44 against them. Sengun led with 24 (9 of 18, 1 of 4 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Ja. Green added 23, Holiday 13. Q4 was theirs, 29-25, the deficit cut from 20 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 104-84 against them. Eason's -20 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/29 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Sengun at 25 and Smith Jr. at 20 a game. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Embiid at 41 and Maxey at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Embiid (2 straight), Batum (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 109 a night to Houston's 117 and the glass, where Houston has been minus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Philadelphia 115, Houston 113, Houston keeping it close.
1/01 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Sengun at 28 and Ja. Green at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Brooks (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Cunningham at 30 and Ivey at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Stewart (2 straight), Sasser (2 straight), Bagley III (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 117 a night to Detroit's 124. Call it Houston 120, Detroit 112.
1/03 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Sengun at 29 and Ja. Green at 18 a game. Without Brooks (3 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 120, shooting 42 percent and 28 from three, 28 free throws a game; Cam. Johnson at 18 and Bridges at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Simmons (27 straight), Walker IV (16 straight), Clowney (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 38 percent from three to Brooklyn's 28. Call it Houston 119, Brooklyn 111.
1/05 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sengun at 28 and VanVleet at 19 a game. Without Brooks (4 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 29 free throws a game; Edwards at 34 and Towns at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Minnesota giving it away 17 times a game to Houston's 12 and the line, where Minnesota takes 29 free throws a game to Houston's 23. Call it Houston 115, Minnesota 112, Minnesota keeping it close.
12/17 vs WAS 112-108 — PHX notes
PHX won 112-108. PHX shot 46% (41 of 90) to WAS's 41%, 7 of 31 from three, and went to the line 30 times to WAS's 20 — 23 points from the stripe to their 16. PHX turned it over 17 times to WAS's 10, and WAS turned those into 8 steals. The glass went 54-44 for them. Durant led with 28 (11 of 24, 6 of 9 at the line); Booker added 27, Gordon 13. The hinge was Q4, 31-19: PHX came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 4. PHX trailed 46-58 at the half and won the second half 66-50. Goodwin was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/19 @ POR 104-109 — PHX notes
PHX lost 104-109. PHX shot 45% (42 of 94) to POR's 45%, 5 of 23 from three. Durant led with 40 (16 of 28, 1 of 3 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Booker added 26, Allen 11. Q1 was theirs, 36-20, but the other 3 periods went 89-68 against them. They led by as many as 16. Little's -12 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/22 @ SAC 105-120 — PHX notes
PHX lost 105-120. PHX shot 44% (39 of 88) to SAC's 53%, 5 of 25 from three. Durant led with 28 (9 of 14, 2 of 3 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Booker added 24, Allen 11. Q4 was theirs, 21-17, the deficit cut from 19 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 103-84 against them. Gordon's -25 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/25 vs DAL 114-128 — PHX notes
PHX lost 114-128. PHX shot 44% (40 of 90) to DAL's 54%, 14 of 41 from three. Allen led with 32 (12 of 22, 8 of 17 from three); Metu added 23, Booker 20. Q3 was theirs, 38-27, turning a 10-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 101-76 against them. Booker's -18 in 40 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 @ HOU 129-113 — PHX notes
PHX won 129-113. PHX shot 57% (47 of 82) to HOU's 42%, 14 of 33 from three. PHX turned it over 19 times to HOU's 9, and HOU turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 44-33 for them. Durant led with 27 (9 of 16, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Gordon added 27, Booker 20. The hinge was Q2, 43-31: a lead of 6 became 18, and the lead reached 21. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/29 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 29 from three, 26 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Booker at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Beal (5 straight), Bates-Diop (5 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 20 free throws a game; Rozier at 21 and Bridges at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Ball (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-9 a night and Charlotte minus-4 and the line, where Phoenix takes 26 free throws a game to Charlotte's 20. Call it Phoenix 120, Charlotte 109, Phoenix by 11.
12/31 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Booker at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Eubanks (2 straight), Bates-Diop (6 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 29 from three, 31 free throws a game; F. Wagner at 27 and Banchero at 26 a game. Without Gar. Harris (2 straight), Fultz (23 straight), Ingles (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-9 a night and Orlando minus-1 and the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to Orlando's 29. Call it Phoenix 115, Orlando 114, Orlando keeping it close.
1/01 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 117, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 25 and Booker at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Eubanks (3 straight), Bates-Diop (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Simons at 32 and Grant at 21 a game. Without Simons (2 straight), Sharpe (5 straight), Ayton (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Phoenix wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Phoenix 118, Portland 114, Portland keeping it close.
1/03 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 111, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 25 free throws a game; Durant at 24 and Booker at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 18 free throws a game; George at 23 and Harden at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Tucker (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the line, where Phoenix takes 25 free throws a game to the Clippers' 18 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 111 a night to the Clippers' 119. Call it Phoenix 118, the Clippers 112.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXBB B. Bol
CM C. Metu
DB D. Booker
EG E. Gordon
GA G. Allen
JN J. Nurkić
JO J. Okogie
KD K. Durant
NL N. Little
SL S. Lee
UA U. Azubuike
YW Y. Watanabe
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CW C. Whitmore
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JL J. Landale
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
JG Ja. Green
JG Je. Green
RB R. Bullock Jr.
TE T. Eason
PHX/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Kevin Durant has 18th career triple-double, Suns beat Rockets 129-113 to end losing streak
HOUSTON -- — Kevin Durant had 27 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 16 assists for his 18th career triple-double, helping the Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 129-113 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak.
Durant was 9 of 16 from the field and also had two steals and a block in Phoenix’s first road victory since Nov. 26. The Suns improved to 15-15.
“It was amazing to get back on the winning side,” Durant said. "It sucks losing. Having a tough stretch in the NBA is one of the worst feelings you can have, regardless of how many games we play in a season.”
Eric Gordon matched Durant with 27 points in his first game back in Houston since being traded in February. He scored 17 points in the Suns’ 43-point second quarter en route to a 73-55 halftime lead. Devin Booker added 20 points, and Grayson Allen had 16.
“It was great to be back here,” Gordon said. “I had a lot of good memories and a lot of fun here and it was a major turning point in my career, coming to Houston, and tonight, we did what we’re supposed to do.”
Alperen Sengun led Houston with 24 points, and Jalen Green added 23 with a season-high six 3-pointers. The Rockets are 15-14.
“(Green) was aggressive,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Hunting his shots, looking at the basket more aggressively, getting downhill, and just making the right reads. With their big (playing) back he got some easy ones early on and it snowballed from there
Phoenix shot 76% in the second quarter to push its lead to 20, and 12 was the closest the Rockets would get in the second half. Durant scored or got the assist on 10 of their 16 baskets.
“Kevin just got into an aggressive mode to score or pass,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “Taking the ball in the backcourt, running a high volume of pick and rolls and just being aggressive. He really led us during that stretch.”
Jabari Smith Jr scored nine points for Houston before leaving in the third quarter because of a sprained left ankle sprain. A night earlier, the Rockets lost Dillon Brooks to an oblique strain, which forced him to miss a game for the first time this season.