Rockets comeback comes up just short against Booker, Suns

Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

Despite the Rockets best offensive showing in weeks, it ultimately wasn't enough to overcome the contending Phoenix Suns on Monday night, dropping the game at the Toyota Center by a score of 133-130.

It was a fireworks display from both offenses, from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Both teams shot over 50% from the floor, and over 48% from three. 13 players in total scored in double figures.

Leading the way for Houston was Kevin Porter Jr. Fresh off a subpar performance against New Orleans, Porter Jr. got off to a fast start with 11 first quarter points, also putting in four rebounds and three assists.

Also in the fold was Christian Wood, who had an off day for Houston in their last game against the Pelicans. While he didn't shoot as well as he would have probably liked (8-21), he still put in 23 points by the contest's end, a team-high.

It was a small miracle that the Rockets were still in the game after the first quarter. Phoenix went 8-13 from three in the first quarter, en route to 34 points, which Houston matched to keep the game knotted after one.

Phoenix would maintain a tentative lead after three quarters of play, leading 101-92, but a 9-0 run to begin the fourth quarter for Houston would again even things up.

Unfortunately, the worst thing that could have happened for the Rockets came to pass -- Devin Booker got hot. Of his 36 points in the contest, 18 of them were scored in the fourth.

"They made a bunch of tough shots, but we felt like we were getting great shots on the offensive end," Kelly Olynyk said after the game. "Guys really stepped up and made plays on both ends of the floor to give us new life. We just couldn’t quite close it out in the end."

They couldn't close the game out, but the Rockets certainly got close. Phoenix led Houston by nine again with roughly a minute left to play, before Olynyk and Jae'Sean Tate drained back-to-back threes. After Devin Booker and Christian Wood traded two made free throws, Houston had a chance to potentially tie the game with a three pointer.

They would never get the chance. After Phoenix intentionally fouled Wood, Wood sank the first free throw before accidentally making the second one, intending for the Rockets to potentially grab a rebound and tie the game.

Instead, Booker would sink two more free throws, and Houston's last-ditch effort for a three was thwarted.

With the loss, the Rockets drop to 13-37, only a half-game above the Timberwolves for the worst record in the league. Houston has lost five games in a row.

Their next game will come against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM CT.