NBA: Phoenix snaps three-game losing skid after melting the Rockets

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Phoenix Suns finally halted its three-game losing streak after dominating the Houston Rockets, 129-113, in the ongoing NBA regular season last December 28, 2023.

After losing to the Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, and the Dallas Mavericks during the past week, the Suns regrouped at the most perfect time to re-enter the NBA winning column.

Superstar swingman Kevin Durant led the charge for Phoenix after notching his 18^th career triple-double, dropping 27 points, 16 assists, 10 rebounds, two steals, and a block.

Despite a slow offensive start for Durant while finishing the first quarter with only a point, the crafty small forward started to contribute in the other facets of the game midway through the second quarter.

His underrated playmaking helped the Suns swell their advantage to double digits at the end of the second frame while also calling the plays to feed his open teammates.

As a result of Durant’s unselfishness, four other players reached double digits in scoring led by Eric Gordon with 27, Devin Booker with 20, Grayson Allen with 16, and Udoka Azubuike with 11.

In total, the Suns out-assisted the Rockets, 28-20, and shot an impressive 47/82 as a team from the field.

The Rockets attempted for one last push after the duo of Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green got hot in the final canto but Phoenix widened the gap again when their three-point shots fell at will in the final three minutes of the ball game.

Sengun and Green combined for 47 points, 24 and 23 points, respectively, but had to get more help from their teammates.

With the win, Phoenix climbed to 15-15, 10^th in the Western Conference, while the Rockets dropped to 15-14, eighth in the West.