HOUSTON — Devin Booker scored 18 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, and the Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 133-130 on Monday night for their sixth straight win.
Deandre Ayton matched a season high with 27 points as Phoenix won for the ninth time in 10 games overall. Mikal Bridges had 20 points, and Chris Paul finished with 19 points and 11 assists.
Phoenix led 101-92 after three quarters, but Houston opened the fourth with a 9-0 run. Houston trailed by nine again with a minute left, but Jae’Sean Tate and Kelly Olynyk made back-to-back 3s for the Rockets.
Christian Wood made two free throws to cut the Suns’ lead to one with 3.5 seconds remaining. Booker hit two free throws, and Houston’s inbounds pass was deflected to end the game.
Phoenix has now won three straight against Houston following a 13-game skid in the series.
Wood scored 23 points and Olynyk finished with 21. Kevin Porter Jr. had 20 points in the Rockets’ fifth consecutive loss.
Rockets point guard John Wall missed a fourth straight game with a left knee injury.
Phoenix led 70-60 at halftime, hitting 12 of 23 3-pointers in the first half. The Suns finished 18 of 37 from 3 in the game.
TIP-INS
Suns: Frank Kaminsky III was out because of the league’s health and safety protocols. … Abdel Nader was out with right knee soreness. … Cameron Johnson scored 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench.
Rockets: SG DaQuan Jeffries was claimed off waivers from Sacramento. Jeffries appeared in 18 games for Sacramento this season, averaging 3.5 points in 12.9 minutes. … Armoni Brooks was sidelined for health and safety protocols. … Danuel House Jr. is expected to miss at least a week with a right ankle sprain.
UP NEXT
Suns: Host Utah on Wednesday night.
Rockets: Host Dallas on Wednesday night.
