Rockets cruise to 131-115 win over the Phoenix Suns

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets made quick work of the Phoenix Suns Monday night. The Rockets never trailed and led by as much as 34 points in the 131-115 rout of the Suns. Tonight's game is the third time this season the Rockets have not trailed at any point of a ball game.

James Harden was efficient with 32 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of work. Harden's 32 and 12 tonight is the ninth time this season he's scored at least 30 points and dished at least 10 assists in the same game.

Five other Rockets' players scored in double-digits: Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon each scored 5 points while Montrezl Harrell added 14 points, Sam Dekker scored 12, and Patrick Beverley added 11 points.

Beverley left the game with a left thigh bruise; but, the injury is not believed to be too serious.

"It's not serious. It could be. It's too bad we play tomorrow night. If we had one more day, I don't think it'll be a problem; but, you never know," Mike D'Antoni said. "We'll just have to wait and see. He gets on a plane and that sometimes tightens those things up; and, we've got to make sure he's okay. He's too valuable to lose for any time."

The Rockets (23-9) improve to 9-0 in the first game following a loss this season. The win is a franchise-best 12th win in the month of December.

The Rockets led 10-2 before Phoenix guard Eric Bledsoe scored five consecutive points to trim the lead to three; but, Harrell scored three points and Harden scored four points during an 11-5 spurt to stretch the lead to nine points (21-12).

The lead grew to 16 points at the end of the first quarter and ballooned to 24 points with 8 minutes remaining in the second quarter; however, the Rockets got careless and sloppy with the ball during a five minute stretch which helped the Suns creep within 14 points.

However, once again, Harrell and Harden began another run to give the Rockets another 24 points lead before Eric Gordon sank two free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining in the half to give the Rockets a 26 points lead at halftime (69-43).

"They (the Rockets) came out in the first quarter and took control of the game; and, from there, it becomes a little bit more difficult to concentrate," D'Antoni commented. "But, I thought the first quarter, the first half, was really good and the third and fourth we just kind of tried to outscore them a little bit. That's normal. It's human nature."

The third quarter was defense optional: the Rockets scored 38 points while the Suns scored 37 points.

Leading 107-80 after three quarters, head coach Mike D'Antoni rested Harden the fourth quarter; and, a few minutes of action in the final period, D'Antoni sat Anderson, Gordon, Harrell, and Beverley, the rest of the game.

Rookie Chinanu (Nanu) Onuaku checked into the game for Harrell and scored the first points of his NBA career. Onuaku scored six points in 8 minutes -- including two free throws he made shooting with his underhand-style.

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