Christian Wood’s big game not enough as Suns scorch Rockets with treys
Promising center Christian Wood led Houston with 25 points (66.7% FG) and 14 rebounds, but the short-handed Rockets couldn’t quite keep up with the hot-shooting Suns on Monday night in Phoenix. Second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. added 20 points and a career-high 14 assists.
The Suns (38-15) have the Western Conference’s second-best record, and they showed why early against the Rockets. In a sensational shooting display, Phoenix connected on 18-of-24 shots from 3-point range (75.0%) in the first half, tying the NBA record for made 3-pointers in a half.
That put the Suns comfortably ahead by 23 at the break, and they held on from there for the 126-120 win (box score). For the game, they shot 25-of-45 (55.6%) on 3-pointers. Veteran forward Jae Crowder led Phoenix with 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting (66.7%) from 3-point range, while All-Star guard Devin Booker had 24 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Making matters worse, the Rockets may not get better or healthier in the immediate future. With Eric Gordon (right groin), David Nwaba (right wrist), Danuel House Jr. (right ankle), and Dante Exum (right calf) already sidelined for some time, Houston was without Sterling Brown (sore left knee) on Monday and lost DJ Augustin early to an ankle sprain.
While the injury report for Wednesday’s home game versus Indiana is not yet out, early indications are not positive for either to play. Recent signing Armoni Brooks took advantage of the open minutes on Monday, scoring 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting (80%) from 3-point range.
With Monday’s loss, Houston (14-40) concluded a winless three-game road trip and tied Minnesota for the NBA’s worst record in the 2020-21 season. Whether the Rockets actually finish with the bottom mark is largely irrelevant, since their odds of having a top-four draft pick (and thus, not losing it to Oklahoma City via a pick swap) are identical, as long as they are among the NBA’s three worst teams.
See below for a compilation of highlights and postgame reaction from Monday night. Wednesday’s tipoff is at 8:00 p.m. Central.
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The Suns have tied the NBA record for made threes in a half with 18. Jae Crowder has 26 points, going 8-9 from three.
They went 18-24!!!!!!!!!!! FROM THREE!!!!!
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) April 13, 2021
The Suns are 18-24 from three… at halftime. That's not a misprint. They're so ridiculously hot that the Rockets halftime crew is laughing and nobody can blame them. pic.twitter.com/baAdkZatro
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 13, 2021
#Rockets lose to Suns, 126-120. Porter Jr. had 22 pts & 14 assists (new career hi). Wood 25p, 15r. Armoni Brooks with his 1st NBA points: 5-6 FG (4-5 on 3's), 14 pts.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) April 13, 2021
Rockets had another great shooting night against the Suns but it didn't translate into a win. Phoenix made 25 3's & hung on after leading by 24
Wood and KPJ had double-doubles. KPJ w/ a career best 14 assists. Armoni Brooks scored his 1st 14pts of his NBA career and made 4 3's.
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) April 13, 2021
Stephen Silas on Armoni Brooks making the most out of his minutes: That was awesome. Something really cool to see.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) April 13, 2021
