In an evening marked by the seal of the feat with the victories of the Lakers in Milwaukee and the Heat in Boston, the Rockets achieve their best performance of the season: a success in Phoenix, the leader of the Western Conference, undefeated for six games ! In this match of extremes, Devin Booker had nevertheless continued his momentum, and the Suns quietly led by 16 points in the 3rd quarter (89-73).
But the young Rockets never gave up. It was first Jalen Green who planted eight points in three minutes, to allow Houston to return to -10 at the start of the last quarter (96-86). We think that Phoenix has the experience and the talent to give a boost but the Rockets sign a 9-0 to equalize with an unlikely hero: Bruno Fernando, who dunks on everything that moves! Everything has to be redone for the Suns (106-106), but it doesn’t get any better because Jabari Smith Jr then Garrison Mathews hit the bull’s eye, and Houston is in front four minutes from the end (113-110).
Behind, it’s Eric Gordon who puts it back in the corner, while Alperen Sengun covers Devin Booker, who still puts it back in (118-115). There are less than two minutes left to play, and the Rockets are going to hold on. However, Cameron Payne will equalize 45 seconds from the end with a distant 3-pointer (121-121) and Jalen Green lets slip a free throw. But in a crazy last possession, the Suns will never manage to score. Payne, then Booker try from afar, but it misses. Under the panels, Ayton and Bridges snatch the rebounds, and this same Bridges misses a shot 30 centimeters from the circle! Kevin Porter Jr. snatches the rebound, but to avoid putting his foot in touch, he serves Damion Lee, who gives it back to Booker. Alone in front of the circle, the Suns superstar… misses! The Rockets won.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
One last crazy possession. In 19 seconds, the Suns will shoot four times! There is not a bad shot on the last possession with first Payne in the corner, then Booker from seven meters on a stepback that he masters. Behind, Bridges snatches the rebound and he shoots in stride. He’s less than a meter from the circle, but it hits the edge. Porter Jr takes the rebound, but he’s stuck on the baseline, and he swings the ball to… Damion Lee. The Suns rookie sees Booker alone near the free throw line. And he misses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpn5Trm5_CA
The Rockets hatch. Author of 95 points in two games, Devin Booker crashes 41 more tonight. And he was off to put a dozen more. Left free in the 1st quarter, he was already 18 points at 7 out of 9 on shots. When he comes back into play in the second quarter, the Rockets decide to take him to two as soon as he has the ball. He will only take one shot, and especially get angry with a technique, and already three faults at the break.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Bruno Fernando. It was he, in the 4th quarter, who revived the Rockets, and it was great coaching from Stephen Silas. In 13 minutes, Fernando signs 14 points at 7 of 8 on shots, and he takes 7 rebounds. Perhaps the best interior of the workforce on the pick-and-roll.
✅⛔Jalen Green. His 3rd quarter is dazzling with 20 points, including 8 at the end of the quarter to restore hope. He died in the 4th quarter, and he even missed a throw that could have been expensive. But his permanent aggressiveness sets the tone for the whole team, and eventually made the Suns give in.
✅ ⛔ Devin Booker. 136 points in three matches for the best player of the week. His first quarter is magnificent. He does not force anything, makes others play, and everything seems fluid. But he misses two winning shots on the last possession.
⛔ Deandre Ayton. What a contrast to Houston’s interiors jumping around and attacking the circle. Ayton’s lack of aggression is costing the Suns dearly. He did not weigh on the racquet.
THE FOLLOWING
Phoenix (15-7) : Sunday trip to San Antonio.
Houston (6-16) : back-to-back on the side of Golden State
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