In a matchup between Western Conference rivals, Houston is 3-0 against Phoenix this season. Overall, Houston has won five of its last six games and the Rockets are now 11-1 in their last 12 home games at Toyota Center.
Advertisement
With Monday’s victory, the Rockets are practically tied with the Los Angeles Lakers (22-11) and Denver Nuggets (24-12) for third place in the West. On the other hand, Phoenix remains at number 7 in the rankings.
The big story for the Rockets was All-Star forward and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, who hit the game-winning shot with just 1.1 seconds left to play. Durant finished with 26 points (42.9% shooting) and a team-high 10 rebounds and made key defensive contributions on a night in which the Suns were held to just 37 points in the second half.
“I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I’ll do it,” said Durant, who was traded from Phoenix to Houston last June.
Advertisement
“Being kicked out of a spot, and feeling like I was made a scapegoat for the problems we had as a team last year, yeah, it felt good to beat them and make a game-winning shot. You play with a little bit of resentment when you play against your former team, especially when you get traded.”
Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points (45.0% shooting from the field), although Tari Eason forced him into a crucial miss on the possession immediately preceding Durant’s game-winner.
Alperen Sengun remained sidelined with the sprained right ankle he suffered against the Mavericks, although backup center Steven Adams returned healthy and had 11 valuable rebounds in 31 minutes.
Advertisement
Jabari Smith Jr. added 17 points (54.5% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range) and 7 rebounds for the Rockets, while Amen Thompson scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Next up for the Rockets is a three-game trip to the West Coast, with a pair of games in Portland on Wednesday and Friday, followed by a finale against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Kickoff for both Rockets-Trail Blazers games is at 9:00 pm central time, and each will be televised regionally on the Space City Home Network (SCHN) and nationally via NBA League Pass.
Further: Rockets (21-11) lose in Dallas as Alperen Sengun sprains right ankle
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets 100, Suns 97: Kevin Durant gets dramatic to celebrate big shot