Suns Edge Rockets in Overtime
HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets fell behind early; led in the middle; fell behind late; forced overtime; but, ultimately, lost to the Phoenix Suns 115-111 Sunday night in front of announced crowd of 17,165 fans.
The Suns raced past the Rockets early in the first quarter. Phoenix scored 12 fast breaks in the first quarter.
"The guys really played hard," said Rockets head coach Rick Adelman. "Really competed. We didn't shoot it well all night long. We hung in there and had a chance to win the game."
Houston (25-22) trailed Phoenix (28-21) 28 to 21 at the end of the first quarter and 60-48 at halftime. The Suns shot 48.8% (21 for 43) from the field in the opening half compared to just 34.7% (17 for 49) for the Rockets.
"It's hard. The guys played their tails off. In the first half, we were a step slow. We were a step behind them. I thought they (the Suns) were quicker. They did a lot of good things; and, that's why we were down.
"But, the third quarter, the game changed. We've got to figure out a way to start the game and play it 48 minutes through."
The Rockets trailed by 14 points (64-40) before Trevor Ariza drained a three-point basket to start a 19-4 run. Aaron Brooks made two three-point shots during the run; and, Luis Scola put back a lay-up to give the Rockets a 69-68 lead with three minutes and 16 seconds remaining the second half.
The Suns finished the third quarter with a 11 to 4 run to take a 79-73 into the fourth quarter.
During the fourth quarter, Brooks and rookie Chase Budinger combined for three consecutive three-point baskets which tied the game at 85.
Amare Stoudemire was an unstoppable force in the fourth quarter. Stoudemire scored 11 of the Suns 21 points in the period.
Trailing 97-94, Brooks drove baseline; gently touched Steve Nash, Nash tumbled to the court; and, Brooks calmly drained a 16-foot jump shot. Nash protested to the refs (too much) and was called for a technical foul. Brooks drained the free throw and tied the score at 97 with 1:18 remaining.
Nash put the Suns ahead with a three-point bucket just 10 seconds later.
Neither team scored until Trevor Ariza made a very tough three-point basket from the right corner tie the game at 100 with just 11.3 seconds left.
Nash squandered a chance to win the game as he was weak shot attempt in the paint fell short.
The overtime session stayed close throughout the extra five minutes.
Trailing 111-110, Brooks had a chance to win the game in the final seconds. Brooks drove past Nash to the basket; and, AB lofted a shot off the glass which bounced off the rim.
"I just missed it," Brooks said after the game. "Great play. I got to the rim. I make that shot nine out of ten times. The ball kind of slipped. That's how it goes. I missed the shot."
Suns' forward Jared Dudley rebounded the miss and made both free throws for a 113-110 Suns' lead.
Instead of allowing the Rockets to attempt a game-tying three-point shot, the Suns fouled Brooks with 4.3 seconds on the game clock before he attempted a shot. Brooks made the first free throw; and, intentionally missed the second attempt. The ball caromed off the rim straight back to Brooks; however, Brooks was called for a lane violation because he entered the paint before his shot hit the rim. (The call was correct.)
Nash was fouled; and, swished two free throws to seal the victory for the Suns.
The Rockets shot just 37.7% (40 for 106) from the field for the game.
"We had a really tough night, overall, shooting the ball," said Rockets forward Shane Battier. "Especially, in the first quarter; and, the Suns really make you pay for missing shots. Once we started making some shots, we slowed them down a bit and that allowed us to get back in the game. I'm proud of the way we fought. We fought hard. We could have gave in to them. We just didn't make enough plays at the end to win the game."
The Suns raced past the Rockets early in the first quarter. Phoenix scored 12 fast breaks in the first quarter.
"The guys really played hard," said Rockets head coach Rick Adelman. "Really competed. We didn't shoot it well all night long. We hung in there and had a chance to win the game."
Houston (25-22) trailed Phoenix (28-21) 28 to 21 at the end of the first quarter and 60-48 at halftime. The Suns shot 48.8% (21 for 43) from the field in the opening half compared to just 34.7% (17 for 49) for the Rockets.
"It's hard. The guys played their tails off. In the first half, we were a step slow. We were a step behind them. I thought they (the Suns) were quicker. They did a lot of good things; and, that's why we were down.
"But, the third quarter, the game changed. We've got to figure out a way to start the game and play it 48 minutes through."
The Rockets trailed by 14 points (64-40) before Trevor Ariza drained a three-point basket to start a 19-4 run. Aaron Brooks made two three-point shots during the run; and, Luis Scola put back a lay-up to give the Rockets a 69-68 lead with three minutes and 16 seconds remaining the second half.
The Suns finished the third quarter with a 11 to 4 run to take a 79-73 into the fourth quarter.
During the fourth quarter, Brooks and rookie Chase Budinger combined for three consecutive three-point baskets which tied the game at 85.
Amare Stoudemire was an unstoppable force in the fourth quarter. Stoudemire scored 11 of the Suns 21 points in the period.
Trailing 97-94, Brooks drove baseline; gently touched Steve Nash, Nash tumbled to the court; and, Brooks calmly drained a 16-foot jump shot. Nash protested to the refs (too much) and was called for a technical foul. Brooks drained the free throw and tied the score at 97 with 1:18 remaining.
Nash put the Suns ahead with a three-point bucket just 10 seconds later.
Neither team scored until Trevor Ariza made a very tough three-point basket from the right corner tie the game at 100 with just 11.3 seconds left.
Nash squandered a chance to win the game as he was weak shot attempt in the paint fell short.
The overtime session stayed close throughout the extra five minutes.
Trailing 111-110, Brooks had a chance to win the game in the final seconds. Brooks drove past Nash to the basket; and, AB lofted a shot off the glass which bounced off the rim.
"I just missed it," Brooks said after the game. "Great play. I got to the rim. I make that shot nine out of ten times. The ball kind of slipped. That's how it goes. I missed the shot."
Suns' forward Jared Dudley rebounded the miss and made both free throws for a 113-110 Suns' lead.
Instead of allowing the Rockets to attempt a game-tying three-point shot, the Suns fouled Brooks with 4.3 seconds on the game clock before he attempted a shot. Brooks made the first free throw; and, intentionally missed the second attempt. The ball caromed off the rim straight back to Brooks; however, Brooks was called for a lane violation because he entered the paint before his shot hit the rim. (The call was correct.)
Nash was fouled; and, swished two free throws to seal the victory for the Suns.
The Rockets shot just 37.7% (40 for 106) from the field for the game.
"We had a really tough night, overall, shooting the ball," said Rockets forward Shane Battier. "Especially, in the first quarter; and, the Suns really make you pay for missing shots. Once we started making some shots, we slowed them down a bit and that allowed us to get back in the game. I'm proud of the way we fought. We fought hard. We could have gave in to them. We just didn't make enough plays at the end to win the game."
posted by Kris Gardner @ 9:41 PM
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