Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green combined for 43 points on 16-of-30 shooting (53.3%), including 9-of-16 on 3-pointers (56.3%). But the hot shooting by Houston’s young guards wasn’t enough to offset a 57-38 rebounding advantage by the Suns, leading to a 129-112 Phoenix victory (box score) on Wednesday at Toyota Center.
Devin Booker scored 36 points for Phoenixon 15-of-24 shooting (62.5%), including 5-of-12 on 3-pointers (41.7%). But the biggest gap between the teams was inside, with the Suns’ frontcourt of Deandre Ayton (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Torrey Craig (21 points, 14 rebounds) often bullying the younger Rockets with their physicality. Craig made all eight of his shots, while Ayton hit 10-of-19 (52.6%) from the field.
Starting center Christian Wood (18 points, 9 rebounds in 27 minutes) was the only Houston player with more than 4 rebounds for the game.
The Rockets fell behind 14-2 early, and that set the tone on a night where the Suns (56-14) expanded their lead for the NBA’s best record and the Rockets (17-52) continued to hold the worst. However, Houston did fight back behind impressive shooting and playmaking from several guards.
Scroll on for highlights, statistics, and postgame reaction.
Kevin Porter Jr: 21 Points, 8 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block, 66.1 TS%
Jalen Green: 22 Points, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 73.3 TS%
Schroder had 17 pts, 6 Assists on 7-13 shooting, KJ 11 on 5-6, +1.
Rockets lose a fun game to a good team.
— DGC (@Itamar_17_10) March 17, 2022