Rockets Blot out the Suns

Posted: February 3, 2012 -- 10:58pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) – The Houston Rockets returned to their winning ways Friday night with a 99-81 shellacking of the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets (13-10) led the Suns by 10 (30 to 20) at the end of the first quarter and, unlike previous ball games, the defense didn't crater nor did the offense collapse.

The Rockets led by 20 at halftime and by as much as 23 points in the game; and, despite a brief period of bad basketball in the fourth quarter, the Rockets' bench players played well enough to let the four veteran starters rest the entire fourth quarter. Rookie Chandler Parsons was the only starter to play in the final period.

"It felt good to me to be able to have a lead," Courtney Lee said after the game. "We kind of got stagnant for a little period in the 4th quarter but it felt good to maintain it and keep that lead because the game before we lost a big lead. Today we were able to hold on to it."

Parsons was glad the Rockets dominated the Suns; stopped the brief two-game losing; and, got guys some rest.

"It feels great especially with our schedule coming up," said Parsons. "It was huge for us to come out and play the way we did, to really, really beat them the way we did. It was good. It was a confidence booster to come out here and stop the losing streak of two games. We just really played well and tried to put it all together and try to get our guys rested because we have another game tomorrow night."

The Rockets begin a six-game road trip Saturday night in Minnesota versus the Timberwolves.

Seven Rockets scored in double-digits tonight. Kevin Martin scored a game-high 16 points (6 for 9 from the field) in slightly less than 18 minutes. Luis Scola scored 14. Lee, Chase Budinger, and Patrick Patterson each scored 12 while Parsons and Goran Dragic each drop 10 points on the Suns.

Kyle Lowry scored five points and handed out nine assists.

The Suns struggled against the Rockets aggressive defense -- especially when Steve Nash rested on the bench.

Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said, "I was displeased with our energy level. When you play this team you have to play grown-up basketball and we didn't do that. We got pushed around and the end results was what it was. We need to play harder and play grown man basketball and not get pushed around and be able to make plays. You have to compete and match energy with energy. I wasn't pleased with anything we did. There were no bright spots and no moral victories. We have to do a much better job than what we did and come out with energy and that's on me since I'm the coach."

Courtney Lee concluded, "It was very important to break the losing streak. Very important. It's going to give us some momentum going into the road trip. Hopefully, we can carry it over. We got over the losing streak, now it's time to build a winning streak."

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