Houston Rockets Outgun Phoenix Suns 127-118

The Houston Rockets are now in the midst of a tough set of games that started with the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday night.

The team has now hit the road for two more this week before settling down before the All-Star break.

Although the Rockets we’re close to getting over the hump to try to beat the Blazers, they had too much firepower in the paint for the Rockets to overcome.

LaMarcus Aldridge pretty much had his way with us and it was looking quite reminiscent of how the midpoint of the first round of the playoff series looked.

If it wasn’t for James Harden, Sunday’s game would’ve been quite ugly and the Blazers would’ve had it in the books early.

What this team needs to do is stop relying so much on Harden and lend him a helping hand.

We need our MVP in tip-top shape for what’s ahead — hopefully a long, playoff run!

Any way, the Rockets faced the Phoenix Suns tonight in the first game of a back-to-back.

It was quite impressive from the start.

The Rockets jumped out to a quick, 10-3 lead with Donatas Motiejunas leading the way with six of those 10 points including a svelte turnaround he had at 10:17 mark.

Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard

Jason Terry

(31) dribbles the ball around Rockets forward

Josh Smith

(5) and Phoenix Suns guard

Isaiah Thomas

(3) at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The team continued to maintain control of the game leading 41-23 at the end of the 1st quarter ending with a Harden three-pointer with three seconds left.

41 points in the 1st? That’s definitely something I can co-sign to!

At the start of the 2nd quarter, the Rockets maintained control of the game until the Suns went on a 6-0 run cutting their deficit to three with 3:32 off a P.J. Thomas lay-in. Rockets 57, Suns 54

But Josh Smith and Corey Brewer went to work put the Rockets back on top accompanied with a Trevor Ariza three with 1:32 left in the half. Rockets 67, Suns 56

Once again, Beard ended another quarter with a three with one second left in the half. Halftime Score: Rockets 70, Suns 61

Eric Bledsoe went out of his mind at the start of the 3rd to lead the Suns to 14-0 run take a 81-73 lead with Bledsoe scoring eight of those 14 points.

Patrick Beverley finally stopped the bleeding with a layup of his own. Suns 81, Rockets 75

We as fans had a brief scare with 4:36 left where Harden took a hard shot to the elbow as he tumbled to the floor grimacing in pain.

Brewer immediately checked in for him and the Rockets were able to get back-to-back threes from Beverley and J-Smoove tying the game back at 83-all.

After a Smith dunk and Kostas Papanikolaou three-pointer to counter a Gerald Green/Thomas three the Rockets found themselves trailing by only one at the end of the 3rd. Suns 89, Rockets 88

Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard

Eric Bledsoe

(2) attempts to shoot the ball as Houston Rockets guard

Patrick Beverley

(2) defends at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t a good quarter for the Rockets, with the team only being managed 18 points to the Suns’ 28.

At the start of the 4th, Harden checked back into the game and proved that he was okay with a four-point play.

He was fouled by Marcus Morris while attempting a three allowing him connect on the free throw to give him his 24th point of the night. Rockets 92, Suns 89

The Beard owned the final quarter of this game it goes to show why he’s making serious contentions for the league’s most valuable player award.

He faked, he euro-stepped, he got himself to the line, he gave everything he had to help his team win on both ends of the floor and did so wonderfully.

Anybody see him put P.J. Tucker on skates?

Yep, that was beautiful!

It was a shootout of sorts as each team had an answer from another as each team got extremely hot from the field going deep into the triples.

But it was the Rockets that got the best of the Suns as Brewer hit the death knell with 52 seconds left for his 14th point of the night. Rockets 127, Suns 116

Tucker would score a layup with 13 seconds left but it was too little too late. Final Score: Rockets 127, Suns 118

Did I say that the Beard had an amazing 4th quarter?

He scored 17 of his 40 points in that quarter! Goodness gracious!

Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets forward

Donatas Motiejunas

(20) makes a move to the basket against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets won 127-118. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Just for grins and giggles, here’s his stat line: 40 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, 13-for-23 FG, 3-for-7 3-point FG, 11-for-14 FT.

Wow!

J-Smoove had another great night with 20 points, six rebounds off 8-for-15 shooting from the field and 2-for-4 from behind-the-arc.

He was smart with his shot selection and played hard on both ends of the floor, what more could I ask out him? Too awesome!

Beverley looked a lot better tonight with 15 points, six rebounds and six assists but unfortunately he gave up 20 points off Goran Dragic.

Eric Bledsoe and the Beard we’re going at it — it was fun to watch! He ended up with 32 points on the night!

Our match up with the Suns is always an entertaining one and tonight’s game didn’t disappoint!

The Rockets out-rebounded the Suns 47-39 and doled out 28 dimes to the Suns’ 18! They outscored the Suns 39-29 in the final quarter!

Our next and last meeting is March 21 — can’t wait!

It’s on to the next one!