Houston Roundball Review Archive: January 2007 Suns Too Much for Rockets, 100 to 91

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Heading into tonight's match-up with the Phoenix Suns, the Houston Rockets knew they would face the Suns without center Yao Ming.

Well, before the ball game, the Rockets' players learned they would also face the Suns without star player Tracy McGrady.

T-Mac didn't suit up tonight due to sore lower; however, the injury isn't believed to be as serious as his back pain last month which resulted in him missing seven straight games.

McGrady's status is listed as day-to-day.

Phoenix (30-8) defeated Houston (25-15) 100 to 91 before the 11th announced (18,244) sell-out crowd at Toyota Center.

Houston tonight played in just its 10th game ever (1/10/06-1/18/06; 4/12/06-4/19/06; 1/17/07) without the services of both Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.

The Rockets are now 1-9 in those outings.

The Rockets led 28 to 19 at end of the first quarter; and, pushed the lead to as big as 15 (42 to 27) with 5:15 left in the second quarter.

Then, Phoenix got hot from long range.

Thanks to four three-point shots (two from guard Leandro Barbosa and two from guard Steve Nash), the Suns scored 16 unanswered points in three minutes and two seconds to take a 43 to 42 lead with 2:13 left in the first half.

The Rockets did not wilt under the scoring onslaught; and, in fact, the Rockets finished the first half with a 51 to 48 lead after a three-point shot by guard Luther Head.

The third quarter went back and forth the first five and a half minutes until the Rockets took a 65 to 60 lead following six straight points.

The Suns scored 10 consecutive points in the midst of a 17-2 scoring run to move ahead of the Rockets 77 to 67 with 1:53 left in the third quarter.

The Rockets trailed 79 to 75 after three quarters.

Phoenix kept the Rockets at arm's length throughout the final period as Houston got no closer than two points (79 to 75) in the period.

Rafer Alston kept the Rockets close with nine of his 16 second half points in the fourth quarter.

However, a few lapses on pick-and-roll defense allowed Nash, Barbosa, and guard Raja Bell to make open three point shots which helped Phoenix maintain the lead.

Phoenix went 17-of-34 from beyond the arc tonight.

The Suns set the Rockets all-time record for 3-point field goals made, surpassing the previous high of 16 makes by the Bucks against the Rockets vs. Milwaukee (2/20/06).

Phoenix's 34 3-point attempts tied for the third most against the Rockets, equaling the 34 taken by the Suns against Houston vs. Phoenix (1/5/05).

The most 3-point attempts ever taken against the Rockets stands at 37 by the Warriors in an overtime game at Golden State (12/14/05).

Alston finished the game with a season-high 29 points. He also added eight assists.

Forward Shane Battier and Luther Head each scored 16 points.

Phoenix placed five players in double-figures including three (Nash, 21; Barbosa, 20; and center Amare Stoudemire, team-high 22) players who scored 20 points or more.

Nash also dished out a game-high 14 assists while forward Shawn Marion grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds in addition to his 14 points.

Post-game comments from Jeff Van Gundy and Dikembe Mutombo:

JVG: "...as a fan..."

JVG: "...better chance to win..."

Mutombo (on his playing time): "...go small on us..."

The Suns had a 47-39 advantage on the glass tonight, marking the fourth straight game the Rockets have been outrebounded by their opponents.

Prior to this four-game stretch, Houston had been outrebounded in consecutive games only one time before this season.

The Rockets have given up 100 or more points in the last three games.

Houston's longest such streak this season is five consecutive games (12/9/06-12/17/06).

The Rockets have now dropped five straight games overall to the Suns.

Houston also has an active six-game home losing streak to Phoenix.

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