Green shines in Rockets’ 111-104 victory over Suns

HOUSTON – On Wednesday, March 12, the Houston Rockets hosted the Phoenix Suns at the Toyota Center in Houston.

In a battle between two high-scoring offenses, the Rockets came out on top, winning 111-104.

Jalen Green led the Rockets in scoring with 29 points, 14 of which came in a dominant third quarter. Bradley Beal led the way for the Suns, finishing with 25.

In the second quarter, Houston’s Steven Adams and Phoenix’s Mason Plumlee were both ejected from the game after an altercation led to a bodyslam in the middle of the court.

MORE INFO: Adams, Plumlee both ejected after fight during Rockets game vs. Suns

Tonight’s game was Houston’s second matchup with the Suns this season. The Rockets won the first matchup on Feb. 12, 119-111.

MORE ON THE FIRST MATCHUP: Strong scoring helps Rockets outlast Suns in shootout, 119-111

The teams will meet again once more in Phoenix on March 30.

Game recap

First quarter

Alperen Sengun opened the scoring for Houston, knocking down a three-pointer and a midrange jumper on his first two attempts from the field. The Suns’ star-power shined early on, as Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker scored Phoenix’s first points.

The squads traded blows for much of the opening period, but the Rockets pulled away in the closing minutes. Houston ended the quarter on a 10-2 scoring run, highlighted by a flashy three-pointer from Jalen Green in the period’s closing seconds.

Second quarter

The Suns quickly recovered from the ending of the first quarter, getting back in the game with scoring from Booker and Ryan Dunn. The Rockets had two monster dunks in the early stages of the second, one from Jabari Smith Jr. and one from Sengun.

As the quarter continued, tempers flared in a tightly contested ballgame. After Green buried a midrange jumper, Steven Adams got tangled up with Mason Plumlee as the was running to get back on defense.

The situation escalated into a wrestling match on the floor, and each player was ejected from the game after a review.

With the game tied at 50, the Rockets ended the quarter on a 7-2 run, which was made possible with buckets from Sengun and Fred VanVleet. The Rockets led 57-52 at the half.

Green was the Rockets’ leading scorer in the first half, finishing with 15. Beal led the way for Phoenix with 13.

Third quarter

The Rockets scored a quick five points after the break, all by way of free throws from Green. With a 62-52 lead, Houston had the first double-digit advantage of the game by either team.

The Suns responded with points from Beal and Durant, but Green’s hot shooting from deep helped the Rockets maintain their distance.

At the end of three, the Rockets still held a nine-point advantage, leading 88-79.

Fourth quarter

Tari Eason got the scoring started in the fourth for Houston, turning a dish from Jock Landale into a fast-break dunk.

Depth was clearly becoming an issue down the stretch for Phoenix, as the Rockets were finding offense from seemingly everyone they put on the floor, whereas Phoenix’s points were primarily coming from their three stars.

Free throws from Beal brought the Suns within eight, but two baskets from Dillon Brooks kept the Rockets comfortable. They stretched their lead up to 14, leading 105-91 with five minutes remaining.

With such a cushion, Houston began to slow down their tempo to chew up the clock. The Suns tried to counter by playing with urgency, but they were haunted by empty offensive possessions.

With the score 110-96 with just over two minutes remaining, Suns’ coach Mike Budenholzer sat Durant, Beal and Booker—essentially waving the white flag. The Rockets followed suit, removing their starters at the next dead ball.

The Rockets would go on to defeat the Suns, 111-104.