On December 28, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, and the Suns challenged the Rockets away. The Suns played an overwhelming advantage in the first three quarters, and finally won a comfortable 129-113 victory over the Rockets, stopping a three-game losing streak.
The Suns' two cores, Durant and Booker, both played at the level of superstars, with Durant scoring a big triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists, and Booker also had an all-round performance of 20 points and 7 assists. The two combined for 43 points and 23 assists, setting a record in Suns history and becoming the first pair in Suns history to score at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single game.
In addition to Durant and Booker, the Suns' other hero was Gordon, who scored a season-high 27 points in this game, including seven three-pointers, which were also career-highs. Gordon's three-point firepower poses a great threat to the Suns' offense and puts the Rockets' defense in a difficult position.
For the Rockets, although Shin Kyung and Jalen Green both played well, they still couldn't prevent the team's loss. Shin Kyung had a team-high 24 points and five rebounds, and Jalen Green also contributed 23 points and five rebounds. Both men were efficient in scoring, but they couldn't limit the Suns' powerful offense on the defensive end.
VanVleet, the Rockets' other core, was in a slump, with only 10 points and six assists, and he shot just 286%, and only 1 shot 0 of three-pointers. VanVleet's form directly affected the Rockets' offensive efficiency and prevented them from catching up in key moments.
The Rockets' bench didn't help the team much either, with the exception of Eubanks and Kamara, who were average. The Rockets are still not as good as the Suns, and they will need to find their form in future games and try to win more.
The Suns showed championship temperament in this game, and they played a strong performance on the road without giving the Rockets any chances. The Suns' offense is very fluid, with their three-point shooting percentage as high as 467 per cent and a whopping 35 assists, showing their teamwork. The Suns' defense was also excellent, and they limited the Rockets' scoring efficiency to just 43He shot 5 percent from the field and grabbed 11 more rebounds than the Rockets.
The Suns played their own style in this game and also proved themselves to be one of the powerhouses in the West. The Suns are aiming for a championship, and they have the quality and confidence to keep it that way, and they can hopefully go far in the playoffs.
The Rockets will need to reflect on their own problems, they did not pose much of a threat to the Suns in this game, and they have big deficiencies in offense and defense. VanVleet, the heart of the Rockets, needs to get back to his form, he's the soul of the team, and his performance directly determines the team's trend. The Rockets' bench depth also needs to be strengthened, and they need more players who can step up and support the team in key moments.
The Rockets lost badly in this game and will need to adjust their form in future games to try to win more and move up the rankings. The Rockets still have a lot of potential, and as long as they can play their level, they will be expected to rise in the West.