Houston stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 77 points and 17 assists as the Rockets overwhelmed the Suns with a barrage of threes in Saturday’s 139-125 win (box score) at Phoenix.
The Rockets hit 19-of-41 three-pointers (46.3%) as a team, while the Suns made just 8-of-28, or 28.6%. That 33-point math advantage proved impossible for the Suns (11-18) to overcome in their sixth straight loss.
Harden had nearly half of those three-pointers with nine in 19 attempts (47.4%), leading the Rockets (20-9) to a third straight win and their ninth in the past 12 games. The NBA’s 2018 MVP connected on 15-of-27 shots (55.6%) overall, and he also added seven assists and six rebounds.
47 POINTS ⤵️🔥 pic.twitter.com/sIhCBWVK0I
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 22, 2019
The Suns cut the margin as close as eight points in the fourth quarter, but Harden had a breathtaking stretch with 10 points in just 92 seconds midway through the final period as the Rockets broke the game wide open. Houston led for the entire second half.
Meanwhile, Westbrook had 30 points and 10 assists on 11-of-21 shooting (52.4%). After not breaking the 30-point barrier in his first 20 games with the Rockets, the 2017 MVP has now done it four times in six games.
Russell Westbrook has now scored 30+ points in 4 of his last 6 games after doing so 0 of his first 20. He's settling in quite well. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 22, 2019
Westbrook had issues with a dislocated finger in the 2019-20 preseason, and he said Saturday in his postgame interview with reporters that the improving health of his hand has enabled his recent surge.
Russell Westbrook said his hand is feeling better than it was early this season, helping strong stretch:
“Finding my rhythm, picking my spots. My hand is better now, hoping I can move with the ball a little better.” pic.twitter.com/gfwCqmKMKk
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) December 22, 2019
Russell Westbrook on his mindset joining the #Rockets:
"I'm a positive guy. When I got here I told guys, 'there's gonna be adversity. When adversity hits, whatcha gonna do?' I've been through so many different things. …My whole mindset has been positive." pic.twitter.com/nhqhHjRux7
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) December 22, 2019
Starting center Clint Capela also had a big night for the Rockets with 14 points and 17 rebounds in 36 minutes. Capela made seven of his eight shot attempts, leading Houston’s astonishing 51-of-87 total (58.6%) from the field as a team. Off the bench, reserves Gary Clark and Ben McLemore combined for 17 points on five made three-pointers.
The Suns were led by 26 points from starting small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., who hit 10-of-16 shots (62.5%) from the field.
The Rockets are now 2-0 on their current four-game West Coast road trip, which resumes Monday night with a game at Sacramento (12-17).
[lawrence-related id=20187,20137,20121]
The Rockets felt right at home (again) in Phoenix with their 139-125 win…their 11th straight here. They hit 19 3's…had just 10 TO's. HUGE nights from James & Russ as they combined for 77p, 10r, & 17a. Capela had 17 rebounds! Bench was solid. 2-2 so far on the road trip.
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) December 22, 2019