On December 28, Beijing time, the NBA regular season started a fierce matchup, with the Phoenix Suns challenging the Houston Rockets away.
In the first quarter of the game, the Rockets took the lead, and Jalen Green scored consecutive points to help the team take the lead. But not to be outdone, the Suns teamed up with Durant and Gordon to fight back and quickly catch up with the score. The two sides were locked in a stalemate at the end of the first quarter, and the score alternated upwards. At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets trailed 24-30.
In the second quarter of the game, the Suns launched an offensive game, and Durant, Gordon and Booker teamed up to lead the team to a wave of offensive climax. The Suns gradually gained the upper hand midway through the quarter, ending the first half with a 73-55 lead.
Entering the third quarter, the Suns' offense was even more intense. The likes of Durant, Booker and Allen continued to play to their individual abilities, and the Suns extended the margin to more than 20 points at one point. The Rockets fought back late in the quarter, but couldn't turn the tide. The third quarter ended with the Suns leading 104-84.
In the final quarter of the game, the Rockets launched a final comeback. Jalen Green, Shin Kyung and others played well and helped the team narrow the margin to single digits. But the Suns withstood the pressure at critical moments and played steadily, eventually winning 129-113 against the Rockets.
Here's what we say about the main performances of both sides:
For the Suns:
Durant had a great performance: he had 27 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists, and he almost single-handedly controlled the game. His points, rebounds, and assists are team-highs, showcasing his all-round ability.
Booker has been solid: he has 20 points and seven assists, and he has contributed to the team both offensively and organizationally.
Role players played well: Gordon scored 27 points, including seven three-pointers, and had an excellent performance. Allen had 16 points and Azubuke had 11 points and five rebounds.
On the Rockets side:
Shin Kyung had a great performance: he had 24 points and five rebounds and showed his ability on the offensive end.
Green played well: he had 23 points and five rebounds, but there were some shot options that needed improvement.
Role players played mediocre: VanVleet had 10 points and six assists, but there were some turnovers. Ethan had six points and five steals, which was not bad. Holiday scored 13 points.
Overall, the Suns were the better performers in this game, showing better teamwork and individual ability on both the offensive and defensive ends. Although the Rockets have some bright spots, the overall performance needs to be improved.