Rockets vs. Suns Final Score: Lose 112-105

A small crowd at Toyota Center leaves disappointed as their Rockets turned in another off night. Different night, same story as the Rockets lose back-to-back home games, and lose the tie-breaker to the Jazz and now also the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets rallied late cutting a lead that ballooned to 13 at one point, down to just 5 with 1:30 left, but it was too little, too late. Courtney Lee had an open look at a 3-pointer to cut the lead to just 2 with under 1 minute to play, but missed it, and a Jared Dudley 3 on the other end put the game away.

The Rockets controlled the game throughout the first half thanks to the great play of Marcus Camby who had 10 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks at the break. The game turned dramatically in the 3rd quarter though with the Suns outscoring the Rockets 30-14. The Suns beat the Rockets with great ball movement leading to wide-open shots; basic, Suns basketball. In particular Marcin Gortat was great inside with 16 points and 14 rebounds tonight through 3 quarters. The Suns needed that production because Steve Nash struggled to score through the first half and into most of the 3rd quarter. One play that summed up the game perfectly was towards the end of the 3rd quarter; Patrick Patterson lost his shoe on a change of possession, didn't get it back on very quickly, and the Suns hit a 3-pointer while playing 5 on 4 basketball.

Goran Dragic scored in double figures but was held back by foul trouble most of the game. Joining him in double-digits were Luis Scola, Marcus Camby, Kyle Lowry, and Chase Budinger. The most glaring stat for the Rockets tonight; 4 of 19 from behind the arc; they shot 4-20 from 3 vs. Utah on Wednesday.

The Rockets have Saturday off before a home-road, back-to-back against Denver, and a road game at Dallas on Wednesday; they must win 2 out of those 3 to make the playoffs in my opinion.

Read More on the Rockets at the Dream Shake