After a crazy last possession, Houston won in Phoenix

In a night marked by the seal of victory with the victories of the Lakers in Milwaukee and the Heat in Boston, the Rockets achieved their best performance of the season: a victory in Phoenix, the leader of the Western Conference, which has not lost in six game ! In this intense match, Devin Booker continued his momentum, and the Suns quietly led by 16 points in the 3rd quarter (89-73).

But the young Rockets didn’t give up. Jalen Green first planted eight points in three minutes, to allow Houston to get back to -10 at the beginning of the last quarter (96-86).

We think Phoenix has the experience and talent to power through but the Rockets go 9-0 to match an unlikely hero: Bruno Fernando, who dunks on everything that moves! It was all over again for the Suns (106-106), but it didn’t get any better as Jabari Smith Jr. then Garrison Mathews hit, and Houston led with four minutes left (113-110).

In the back, Eric Gordon puts it back in the corner, while Alperen Sengun covers Devin Booker, who still puts it back (118-115). There were less than two minutes left to play, and the Rockets were on. However, Cameron Payne would tie the game with 45 seconds left on a long 3-pointer (121-121) and Jalen Green let slip a free throw. But on a crazy final possession, the Suns would never score. Payne, then Booker tries from distance, but misses.

Under the panels, Ayton and Bridges grab rebounds, and this same Bridges doesn’t shoot 30 centimeters from the circle! Kidnapped by Kevin Porter Jr. the rebound, but to avoid getting his foot on it, he served it up to Damion Lee, who put it back to Booker. Alone in front of the circle, the Suns superstar… what a miss! The Rockets won.

WHAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

One last fun property. In 19 seconds, the Suns would shoot four times! There wasn’t a bad shot in the final possession with Payne first in the corner, then Booker from seven meters out on a stepback he mastered. Behind, Bridges grabbed the rebound and shot slowly. He was less than a meter away from the circle, but it hit the rim. Porter Jr. grabbed the rebound, but got stuck on the baseline, and he swung the ball to… Damion Lee. The Suns rookie found Booker alone near the free throw line. And he misses.

The Rockets hatch. Author of 95 points in two games, Devin Booker crashed 41 more tonight. And he left to put a dozen more. Left free in the first quarter, he has scored 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting. When he returned to the game in the second quarter, the Rockets decided to take him to the two as soon as he got the ball. He will only take one shot, and will be especially angry with one technique, and three faults already in the break.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Bruno Fernando. He, in the 4th quarter, brought the Rockets to life, and it was great coaching from Stephen Silas. In 13 minutes, Bruno Fernando scored 14 points on 7 of 8 shots, and he grabbed 7 rebounds. Perhaps the best workforce interior in pick-and-roll.

✅⛔ Jalen Green. His 3rd quarter was dazzling with 20 points, including 8 late in the quarter to restore hope. He died in the 4th quarter, and he even missed a throw that could have been costly. But his constant aggressiveness set the tone for the entire team, and eventually gave the Suns.

✅⛔ Devin Booker. 136 points in three matches for the best player of the week. His first quarter was impressive. He doesn’t force anything, lets others play, and everything seems to flow. But he missed two winning shots on the final possession.

⛔ Deandre Ayton. What a contrast to Houston’s interiors jumping and attacking in the circle. Ayton’s lack of aggression cost the Suns. He doesn’t weigh the racket.

THE FOLLOWING

Phoenix (15-7) : Week of travel to San Antonio.

Houston (6-16) : back-to-back on Golden State’s side