Rockets lose to the woeful Phoenix Suns, 124-115

Posted: April 07, 2016 -- 10:48 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- In a season filled with disappointments, the Houston Rockets continued reaching new depths with a 124-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

The Rockets' needed this win more than the 20-win (now 21) Suns who entered tonight's game with a 7-game losing streak. The Rockets are clinging to diminishing playoff hopes; but, their effort on defense tonight left a lot to be desired.

"Extremely tough. Come back home after a tough loss and give the game away." James Harden lamented.

Despite shooting a season-high 56.8% from the floor, tonight's Rockets loss snapped a 58-game franchise winning streak when shooting 56.0% or better from the floor.

The Suns dominated the rebounding battle (not much of a battle) and out-rebounded the Rockets 47 to 26. Twenty of the rebounds came after the Suns' own missed shots which resulted in an absurd 36-8 edge in second-chance points.

"Twenty offensive rebounds is too many," J.B. Bickerstaff said candidly after the game. "It's something we've talked about all year long: being able to defend and finish possessions. For us, the defensive rebounding starts at the point of attack on the ball. If you allow penetration, then your bigs have to go and help challenge shots. That leaves mismatches on the boards."

47 to 26.

36 to 8.

The Suns' 124 points are a season-high.

Those numbers equate to another disheartening loss for the 38-41 Rockets this season.

The Rockets have lost two consecutive games despite outshooting their opponent.

The Rockets led the Suns 39-27 after the first quarter; but, the Suns outscored the Rockets 20-9 in 7 plus minutes of the second quarter to reduce the Rockets' lead to one (48-47) with 4:54 remaining in the opening half.

Michael Beasley, Trevor Ariza, and James Harden each scored during an 8-0 run to boost Houston's lead to nine (56-47); but, once again, the Suns responded and slice the lead to one (58-57) before James Harden scored a lay-up to beat the halftime buzzer for a 60-57 Rockets' lead at halftime.

Ariza and Harden each drained three-point baskets during a 10-0 run to begin the third quarter.

The Rockets led by 13 points twice in the third quarter; but, they failed to put the Suns away in the quarter.

In fact, the Suns led 89-85 before Harden scored the final five points in the quarter to give the Rockets a 90-89 lead after 36 minutes.

The fourth quarter featured five ties in the first five minutes.

After the Suns took a 107-103 lead, the Rockets scored seven straight points to lead 110-107 with 4:04 remaining in the game.

The Rockets did not score another point for three minutes and 39 seconds while Phoenix exploded for a 12-0 run to lead 119-110 with 25 seconds left in the ball game.

By that time, the Rockets' fans began serenading the Rockets' players with boos.

The Rockets are still mathematically alive for the playoffs; but, they'll need help qualify for the postseason.

"We still have an opportunity," James Harden said. "We just have to win out and some other teams lose."

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