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Victor Petkov
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Booker nets 35 as Suns shoot down Rockets 110-105
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Jalen Green's best 34 points wasn't enough for Houston and suffered ninth loss in eleven games

Devin Booker showcased his scoring prowess with 35 points and seven rebounds, propelling the Phoenix Suns to a 110-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. Kevin Durant contributed 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Jusuf Nurkic added a double-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocked shots. Royce O’Neale made a well-rounded contribution with 11 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals, securing the Suns’ second consecutive win.

Jalen Green had an impressive performance for the Rockets, making a season-high seven 3-pointers and scoring 34 points. Fred VanVleet added 21 points, and Cam Whitmore provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and eight rebounds. Despite the individual efforts, the Rockets suffered their ninth loss in the past 11 games.

The Suns and Rockets are set to face each other again on Saturday in Phoenix. In a game where both teams struggled with shooting efficiency, Phoenix shot 40.4 percent from the field, including 35.1 percent from beyond the arc. Houston, on the other hand, made 33.3 percent of their attempts, with a 24.4 percent success rate from 3-point range. Eric Gordon, sidelined due to a groin injury, missed his second consecutive game.

Although the Rockets narrowed the gap to 90-84 in the fourth quarter, a 9-0 run by the Suns, ignited by Booker’s 3-pointer, secured a 15-point lead. The game also witnessed some late drama, with Alperen Sengun’s ejection after drawing two technical fouls for vehemently complaining about a foul call.

Booker’s dominant first quarter, where he outscored the Rockets with 20 points, set the tone for the Suns. The team led 33-17 after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 42-21 in the second quarter. Despite a brief surge by the Rockets, the Suns maintained control and entered halftime with a 64-53 lead. Booker finished the first half with 26 points, while Green led the Rockets with 21.

Heading into the final quarter with an 86-75 lead, the Suns held off the Rockets’ attempts to stage a comeback, securing their victory as O’Neale and Durant made crucial free throws in the closing moments.