Rockets Vs. Suns Final Score: Bench Leads Houston Over Phoenix 96-89

The Houston Rockets got 57 points from its bench as they hung on to defeat the Phoenix Suns 96-89. The Suns jumped out to an early lead before the Rockets took control with a big second quarter to lead 54-44 at the half. Phoenix came alive in the third outscoring the Rockets by 12 to take a 76-74 lead into the fourth. The Rockets clamped down in the final period holding the Suns to just 13 points while taking the victory.

Luis Scola scored 16 points to lead the Rockets while Kyle Lowry and Patrick Patterson added 14 points each. Chase Budinger added 12 points while Goran Dragic finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Channing Frye led Phoenix with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Marcin Gortat chipped in 16 and nine for the Suns. Jared Dudley and Steve Nash added 14 points each. Nash also finished with a game-high 13 assists.

The win gives the Rockets their third straight and improves their record to 16-11 on the season.

For more on the Houston Rockets, visit The Dream Shake. For news and notes on the Phoenix Suns, check out Bright Side Of the Sun. Get all your NBA coverage at SB Nation's NBA page.

Rockets Vs. Suns Score: Houston Takes 54-44 Lead Into Halftime

So far so good for the Houston Rockets who carry a 54-44 lead into halftime against the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets are looking for their third consecutive win and got another solid performance from their bench in the first half.

The Rockets reserves scored 28 of Houston's 54 points with five different reserves finding their way into the scoring column. Luis Scola scored 10 points to lead the Rockets while Kyle Lowry scored seven after returning from an elbow injury suffered on Wednesday against Portland. Leading scorer Kevin Martin once again had a quiet first half finishing with just two points in eight minutes of action.

Marcin Gortat scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds to lead the Suns at the half. Grant Hill chipped in nine points while Steve Nash and Channing Frye finished with eight points each.

For more on the Houston Rockets, visit The Dream Shake. For news and notes on thePhoenix Suns, check out Bright Side Of the Sun. Get all your NBA coverage at SB Nation's NBA page.

Kyle Lowry Injury Update: Rockets Guard Expected To Be In Starting Lineup

Rockets' point guard Kyle Lowry is expected to return to the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns.

Darryl Morey Defends Decision To Cut Jeremy Lin On Twitter

In an all-too-familiar scene, the New York media has made New York Knicks PG Jeremy Lin into an unlikely star after the Harvard graduate played three strong games since entering the starting line-up.

In three games against Washington, Utah and New Jersey, Lin has averaged 25 points and 8 assists on 58% shooting.

However, he started the season with the Houston Rockets, but was unable to make the team out of training camp, stuck behind Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragic and Jonny Flynn.

On Thursday, Rockets GM Darryl Morey took to Twitter to defend the team's decision to let go of Lin:

We have 2 starting caliber PG in @Klow7 & @Goran_Dragic. @J_Flynn also playing well RT @cforcsar Lin, do we regret it that we waived him?

— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) February 9, 2012

As Morey points out, cracking an NBA rotation is as much about receiving an opportunity as it is having talent, and the 6'3 200 second-year guard would never have had much of an opportunity in Houston, especially with Lowry emerging as a bonafide All-Star candidate this season.

Rockets Vs. Suns: Game Preview, TV Info And More

The Rockets road trip marches on to Phoenix, where the Suns have won three straight since last losing in Houston.