This is the surprise of the night. At the end of a comeback that ended with an epic time of money, the Rockets overcame the terrible Days thanks especially to a superior Jalen Green. Without a doubt the best win of the season for the young Texan squad.
Phoenix, however, has all the cards in hand to win, and it’s not uncommon to see these Suns crack late in the game, at least at home (and even less against the Rockets). But this is what happened that night at the Footprint Center.
It’s good to be behind a Devin Booker who would finish the game with 41 points including 18 from the first quarter, the Suns quickly took control of the game, leading by eight points after just five minutes, and nine at the end of the first period. If the second quarter is more balanced, and even if the Texans have a slight advantage, Armani Booker and his friends will still enter the locker room with a score advantage. In return for the break, Jalen Green laid down his law and sounded the uprising for the people of Stephen Silas. The back planted 20 pawns in the truffle of the leaders of the Western Conference. Not enough to faze the men from Arizona, who are still counting on friend Booker to snuff out the Rockets’ hopes.
Counting 13 units ahead at the start of the money time, everyone was led to think that the Suns could quietly secure the victory. It’s hard to forget this stat from last year: 53 wins in 53 games when Phoenix was attacking money in the lead. However, Monty Williams’ men would see their lead melt away in the next few minutes, and it was obviously Bruno Fernando who brought the Rockets to their opponents, scored 8 of his 14 points during this run. Jabari Smith, more comfortable in the rotation, could have given Houston an advantage 5 minutes from time. The Suns are holding on but seem to be relying too much on Devin Booker and Kevin Porter Jr. decided to provide a layer to push the Phoenix.
Devin Booker gets a tough one to drop 😤
Rockets lead Suns by 3 with 1:33 left in Q4.
See: https://t.co/1pomR04bRi pic.twitter.com/OGIThF3gU3
— NBA (@NBA) December 3, 2022
After an unsuccessful challenge by Monty Williams, KPJ made three shots to give his Rockets a 6-point lead with just 1’33 on the clock. Booker (again) brought himself to a possession and Jabari Smith missed at the worst possible time, only to let Cam Payne draw from 9 meters … and it continues. Last drive was logically placed in the hands of Jalen Green who made a foul from Mikal Bridges even though the Phoenix winger seemed to be injured. 1/2 the line for the sophomore fullback, to get the Suns the ball with 29 seconds left on the clock. Cam Payne tries to kill the Rockets again, unsuccessfully this time, but Ayton lowers his controller to grab the offensive rebound and pop out Armani. Clumsy step back from D Book, but once again the rebound goes to Phoenix, in the hands of Bridges, who tries to come back … and still doesn’t. KPJ got the ball back but Damion Lee stole it. The occasion of a last failed attempt for Booker, and the Suns lost at home for the second time this season, after rising to 16 points. There is room to win it.
brought home 👏 pic.twitter.com/w4xrgUNHTa
—Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 3, 2022
The Suns rarely cracked in the fourth quarter, first suffering a comeback by the Rockets, then failing to win in the final minutes of the game, despite four attempts. Side Houston, the young group confirmed the sixth victory of the season, and without a doubt the most beautiful. Jalen Green finished the game with 30 points (let’s pass the percentages), marking his fourth game with 30 points or more since the start of the season.
Big win for the Rockets so the Texans can thank Jalen Green for it. Since even Houston is clearly not going for the title this season, wins like this help build a cohesive group, and the Rockets need to pick up some during the season if they want to strengthen. their long term project.