Suns-Rockets Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Apr 08 2013 12:51PM

The Houston Rockets' winning streak is over, but their first playoff spot in four seasons is in sight.

A matchup with the Western Conference-worst Phoenix Suns should help the Rockets move closer to that goal.

Houston could have Chandler Parsons and Carlos Delfino back Tuesday night in the start of a three-game homestand.

With a chance to match a season-best five-game win streak, the Rockets (43-34) gave up their most points in a regulation game this season on Saturday, losing 132-114 at Denver. Thirty-two of those points came off Houston's 19 turnovers.

Parsons, the team's second-highest scorer (15.3 ppg) behind James Harden (25.8), missed his second straight game with a right calf injury, while Delfino sat for a third in a row with flu-like symptoms.

"I think throwing the ball to them was a bigger focal point (than missing Chandler and Delfino)," said coach Kevin McHale after the 2-1 trip. "They had 32 points off our turnovers and 18 points off offensive rebounds. There's no defense for throwing them the ball for a layup. It's hard to overcome."

The Rockets, one game behind Golden State for the sixth spot in the West, will try to regroup at Toyota Center, where they've won 13 of 16. Had Utah (41-37) lost to the Warriors on Sunday, Houston could have locked up its first playoff berth since 2008-09 on Tuesday with a win. The Jazz, though, defeated Golden State 97-90 to move one-half game ahead of the ninth-place Los Angeles Lakers (40-37).

While the Rockets try to secure their postseason spot, the Suns (23-54) are finishing one of the worst seasons in team history. Phoenix - last in the Western Conference - kicks off its three-game trip after dropping a franchise-record seventh straight in the desert on Sunday, 95-92 to New Orleans.

The Suns' nine-game losing streak is their longest since a franchise-worst 13-game skid to begin 1996-97.

"There's no reason why to be positive," former Rocket Luis Scola said. "So how are we going to stay positive? Nobody should be positive. We have to work hard. The way we do it is we realize that we have problems and that we need to fix them."

The third quarter needs immediate attention. The Suns have been outscored by an average of 17.3 points in that period over the last three games.

"We have to look deeper into it and see what's going on because it's like a trend for us," said interim coach Lindsey Hunter, whose team has dropped 15 of 17.

The Suns came out flat in the second half of a 111-81 loss at Houston on March 13, getting outscored 32-17 in the 12 minutes after the break.

Houston ended a three-game skid in this series with the victory and ruined the return of Scola and point guard Goran Dragic, who re-signed with the Suns last summer after spending 2011-12 and a part of the previous season with the Rockets.

Dragic had 11 points and four assists in that contest, but he also scored 14 of his 18 in the fourth quarter of a 107-105 home win over Houston on March 9.

Harden, who set a team single-season record with his 631st free throw on Saturday, is 15 of 16 from the line against the Suns this season. He also has a team-best 56 points and 10 3-pointers in 15 attempts in the two games.

These teams play again Monday in the Suns' home finale.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Goaltending call on final shot gives Rockets win

By CHRIS DUNCAN
Posted Apr 10 2013 12:24AM

HOUSTON (AP) Jermaine O'Neal saw James Harden's last-second 3-pointer bounce off the rim, went up for it and figured Phoenix and Houston were headed to overtime.

Referee David Jones saw goaltending and counted the basket that gave the Rockets a 101-98 victory on Tuesday night.

Harden scored 33 points and Omer Asik tied his career high with 22 rebounds for the Rockets, who earned their first playoff berth since 2009 when the Jazz lost to Oklahoma City.

"It's a great accomplishment for us," said Harden, acquired from Oklahoma City in an offseason trade. "For our first year together, it's a pretty good thing."

On the final play, Harden dribbled down the clock with P.J. Tucker guarding him and launched a 3 from the wing. It bounced high off the rim and O'Neal and Houston's Patrick Beverley jumped for the rebound. O'Neal touched the ball and the rim after the ball came down, just after the buzzer sounded.

The referees huddled on the court, then reviewed the play and ruled it the winning basket, setting off a wild celebration.

O'Neal couldn't believe it.

"It was off the rim, for sure," O'Neal said. "He (Jones) is saying it was still in the cylinder when I did it. The problem is that they called a goaltend and counted the basket before they did the review. So there's not enough evidence to change the call. You should make sure that's the call you should make, and it should be clarified before you say, `Basket counts."'

Jones had a different view.

"Jermaine O'Neal touched it while it was in the cylinder," Jones told a pool reporter. "The ball was on the rim and in the cylinder. He (O'Neal) doesn't go up through the net, his hand is on the net, but not in the net."

Harden went only 2 for 8 from 3-point range and had nine turnovers. He thought his last shot was going in, before O'Neal touched it.

"It actually felt good leaving my hands," Harden said. "The ball bounced up and I kept looking at it. I see these hands touch the ball, so I kind of was happy."

Jeremy Lin had 13 points and six assists and Francisco Garcia scored 15 for Houston.

Luis Scola scored 28 to lead the Suns, who've lost 10 in a row. This one stung O'Neal a little more than the others.

"I've never seen a game finish in a weirder way," he said.

Both teams were sloppy much of the night and combined for 37 turnovers.

The Rockets could never shake the Suns, a team they beat by 30 on March 13. The Suns went 9 for 23 from the field in the third quarter, but trailed only 78-74.

"A win is a win," Harden said, "it wasn't the prettiest win."

Lin sank a pull-up jumper in the lane to put the Rockets up 96-95, but Scola calmly sank another hook shot with 1:39 to go and Phoenix moved back ahead. O'Neal blocked Asik's shot, and Scola's free throw with 53.5 seconds left made it 98-96.

O'Neal questioned more calls than just the final goaltend. He was whistled for fouling Lin on a drive with 35 seconds left, and Lin sank the free throws to tie it again.

"They called three or four calls late in the game that helped determine the outcome of the game," O'Neal said.

Scola missed a finger roll, the Rockets rebounded and called time out to set up the final play.

The Rockets went 6 for 30 from 3-point range and Harden's shot looked like it was going to miss, too. It counted, though, and Houston will return to the postseason.

"A lot of other teams have other expectations," Harden said, "but I think everybody has a playoff in their minds."

The Rockets went 6 minutes without a field goal in the second quarter and trailed 53-51 at halftime.

Both teams coughed up sloppy turnovers that led to easy baskets early in the third quarter. The Rockets managed to build an eight-point lead after Greg Smith made an acrobatic move to score on an alley-oop pass from Lin. Markieff Morris sank a 3-pointer and Scola converted a three-point play to keep Phoenix close.

NOTES: The Suns are 2-15 since losing Marcin Gortat to a season-ending injury on March 6. ... Suns F Michael Beasley was not with the team after the birth of his daughter. ... Rockets F Carlos Delfino sat out with flu-like symptoms. ... The Rockets assigned C Tim Ohlbrecht to Rio Grande Valley, its developmental league affiliate.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Rockets 101, Suns 98

Matt Miller, for NBA.com
Posted Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:46 AM - Updated Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:46 AM

THE FACTS: A desperate Phoenix Suns squad threw everything it could at the Houston Rockets, but center Jermaine O'Neal made one mistake after the final shot was hoisted to hand Houston the 101-98 victory over Phoenix Tuesday night.

O'Neal committed a goaltending violation, touching the ball as James Harden's last-second 3-point attempt made contact with the rim and remained inside the cylinder, to give the Rockets the win. Harden led all scorers with 33 points to go with six rebounds, six assists and a season-high nine turnovers. Omer Asik matched his career high of 22 rebounds for the Rockets (44-34), who clinched their first playoff berth since the 2008-09 season. The spot was wrapped up after the Utah Jazz fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder less than an hour after O'Neal's blunder.

Luis Scola (28 points, eight boards) delivered a valiant performance in the loss for the Suns (23-55), who have dropped 10 consecutive games overall and seven straight on the road. Phoenix guard Goran Dragic finished with 15 points, 10 assist and four steals, while Markieff Morris scored 11 points and snatched nine boards.

QUOTABLE: "I knew it for sure."

-- James Harden on whether he immediately thought O'Neal committed goaltending as his 3-point attempt was hovering over the basket

QUOTABLE II: "I felt the ball was outside the cylinder, so I just tried to knock it down and tried to swat it out so nobody else would try and trip it in. ... I've never seen a game finish in a weirder way."

-- Jermaine O'Neal, who is in his 17th season, on his interpretation of the final play

QUOTABLE III: "O'Neal touched [the ball] while it was in the cylinder. The ball was on the rim and in the cylinder. He doesn't go up through the net. His hand is on the net, but not in the net."

-- Referee David Jones on why he and his fellow officials ruled that O'Neal committed a violation

THE STAT: With Tuesday's defeat, the Suns secured their worst season in terms of win-loss record since the franchise's expansion campaign in 1968-69. Apart from that team, which posted a 16-66 record, no Phoenix group had suffered more than 54 defeats in a regular season.

TURNING POINT: With the Suns leading 98-96 with less than a minute to play, Houston forward Francisco Garcia chased down his own rebound off a missed 3-point attempt to preserve the Rockets' possession. Jeremy Lin capped the possession by driving to the hoop, drawing a foul on O'Neal and burying a pair of free-throw attempts to even the score at 98. Scola had a step on his defender, Greg Smith, on Phoenix's next possession but his layup attempt drew only iron. That set the stage for O'Neal to commit the pivotal error that blew the Suns' chance to end their worst slide since 1996-97.

QUOTABLE IV: "I'm going to be really excited, because I'm going to be able to [actually play in the playoffs] this year. It will be my first taste. I actually didn't think I'd be excited ... but now that it's actually here, I'm actually really excited because no one really gave us a chance going into this season."

-- Jeremy Lin, who was injured during the Knicks' postseason run last year, on his reaction to Houston's playoff berth

HOT: Three former Rockets -- Dragic, Marcus Morris and Scola -- burned their former team with stand-out performances. The trio combined for 54 points on 60.5 percent (23-for-38) shooting, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals and three blocks.

NOT: The long ball certainly was not falling often for the Rockets, who shot a dismal 20.0 percent (6-for-30) from behind the arc. If not for Harden's controversial game-winner, Houston would have set a season-low in 3-point percentage.

BAD MOVE: The Rockets were careless with the ball in the second period, committing five turnovers in a nine-possession span to allow Phoenix to trim a double-digit deficit to two. That period of dysfunction for Houston helped build the Suns' confidence and seemed to springboard Phoenix through the rest of the contest.

GOOD MOVE: The Suns continually dumped the ball down to the veteran Scola down the stretch and watched him tear apart rookie Terrence Jones with his assortment of post moves. The 6-foot-9 forward from Argentina netted 11 points over the final 9:20 of regulation, although he failed to knock down his most important field-goal attempt when matched up against Smith in the final minute.

QUOTABLE V: "We did an excellent job in just about every aspect of the game. ... We did everything in our power to come out with a win, and unfortunately, sometimes you don't."

-- Phoenix coach Lindsey Hunter

NOTABLE: The Suns' Michael Beasley did not play after returning to Phoenix earlier in the day to be with his newborn daughter. ... The Rockets played without starting forward Chandler Parsons (strained right calf) for the third consecutive contest. ... Reserve wing Carlos Delfino (flu-like symptoms) sat out for the fourth game in a row. Houston is still listing both players as day-to-day, and the pair could return in time for Friday's matchup with Memphis. ... In an error-prone game, the two clubs combined to allow 31 points off 37 turnovers. ... Dragic's 12 outings with at least 10 assists since the All-Star break are the most in the NBA. ... The Rockets have won 14 of their last 17 home games. ... Houston improved to 18-4 this season when it commits fewer turnovers than its opponent. ... Phoenix fell to 7-31 overall on the road this season and 2-24 on the road when it allows at least 100 points.

UP NEXT: For the Suns, Wednesday @ Dallas, Saturday @ Minnesota, Monday vs. Houston. For the Rockets, Friday vs. Memphis, Sunday vs. Sacramento, Monday @ Phoenix.

• Suns: Frye, Gortat
• Rockets: Ohlbrecht, White

• Suns: Dudley, Scola, Tucker
• Rockets: Harden

• Lead Changes: 11
• Times Tied: 7

• Arena: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
• Officials: #36 David Jones, #20 Leroy Richardson, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 16673
• Duration: 2:25

Phoenix Suns (23-55)		Houston Rockets (44-34)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Asik vs Morris (Lin gains possession)
	11:39	Harden Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Dragic (1 ST)
Dragic Driving Layup Shot: Missed	11:35
Tucker Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:34
Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Lin (1 ST)	11:28
	11:25	Lin Layup Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:24
	11:08	Harden Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Scola Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	11:08 [PHX 1-0]
Scola Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	11:08 [PHX 2-0]
	10:59 [HOU 2-2]	Lin Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Morris Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:38 [PHX 4-2]
Scola Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	10:25
	10:25 [HOU 3-4]	Asik Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	10:25 [HOU 4-4]	Asik Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	10:06
Tucker Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	10:05
	09:59	Garcia Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Tucker Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	09:59 [PHX 5-4]
Tucker Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	09:59 [PHX 6-4]
	09:52 [HOU 6-6]	Harden Driving Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lin (1 AST)
	09:40	Lin Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Dragic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	09:40
Team Rebound	09:40
Dragic Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	09:40 [PHX 7-6]
	09:31	Garcia 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:29	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	09:16	Harden Layup Shot: Missed
	09:15	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	09:15 [HOU 8-7]	Smith Putback Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Dragic (1 AST)	09:00 [PHX 10-8]
	08:44	Lin Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:43
Johnson Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)	08:37
Tucker Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	08:22
	08:22 [HOU 9-10]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	08:22 [HOU 10-10]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Morris Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	08:14
Morris Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	08:14
	07:54	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:53
Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Harden (1 ST)	07:43
	07:40 [HOU 12-10]	Lin Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Harden (1 AST)
Tucker Pullup Jump shot: Missed	07:28
	07:27	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:21 [HOU 15-10]	Garcia 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Lin (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	07:13
Scola Substitution replaced by O'Neal	07:13
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed	07:03
	07:02	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	06:56 [HOU 18-10]	Garcia 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Harden (2 AST)
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	06:28
	06:27	Team Rebound
Johnson Substitution replaced by Dudley	06:27
	06:09	Asik Layup Shot: Missed Block: Morris (1 BLK)
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:07
Dragic 3pt Shot: Made (4 PTS)	05:56 [PHX 13-18]
	05:40	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:39
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed Block: Smith (1 BLK)	05:26
	05:25	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	05:16 [HOU 20-13]	Harden Running Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Dudley Jump Shot: Missed	04:57
	04:56	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	04:47	Harden Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)
Dragic Step Back Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)	04:29 [PHX 15-20]
	04:11	Lin Jump Shot: Missed
O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:10
Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed	04:06
	04:04	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:56	Harden Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Dragic (2 ST)
Tucker Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Dragic (2 AST)	03:52 [PHX 17-20]
	03:25	Lin Substitution replaced by Beverley
	03:21	Beverley Jump Shot: Missed
O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:20
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed	03:04
Morris Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	03:03
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed	02:56
	02:55	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	02:50 [HOU 22-17]	Beverley Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Garcia (1 AST)
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	02:23
	02:22	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
Tucker Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	02:19
	02:19	Team Timeout : Regular
Tucker Substitution replaced by Scola	02:19
Morris Substitution replaced by Morris	02:19
Dragic Substitution replaced by Marshall	02:19
	02:19	Garcia Substitution replaced by Anderson
	02:19	Smith Substitution replaced by Jones
	02:19 [HOU 23-17]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	02:19 [HOU 24-17]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed	02:00
	01:59	Jones Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	01:41 [HOU 27-17]	Harden 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Beverley (1 AST)
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	01:21
	01:19	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	01:13	Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:11	Beverley Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
O'Neal Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	01:05
	01:05 [HOU 28-17]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	01:05 [HOU 29-17]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Dudley Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Scola (1 AST)	00:51.6 [PHX 19-29]
	00:36.9	Anderson Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:35.7
Marshall Driving Layup Shot: Missed	00:23.9
O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:21.8
	00:21.0	Asik Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	00:21.0 [PHX 20-29]
	00:21.0	Asik Substitution replaced by Motiejunas
O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	00:21.0 [PHX 21-29]
	00:00.0	Jones 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
Phoenix Suns (23-55)		Houston Rockets (44-34)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Dudley 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Marshall (1 AST)	11:42 [PHX 24-29]
	11:18 [HOU 31-24]	Jones Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Anderson (1 AST)
	11:09	Jones Violation:Defensive Goaltending
Marshall Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:09 [PHX 26-31]
	10:58 [HOU 34-26]	Beverley 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Jones (1 AST)
Morris Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:47 [PHX 28-34]
	10:32 [HOU 36-28]	Jones Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Marshall Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Jones (1 ST)	10:27
	10:20	Motiejunas 3pt Shot: Missed
	10:19	Anderson Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
O'Neal Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	10:05
	10:05 [HOU 37-28]	Jones Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
O'Neal Substitution replaced by Morris	10:05
	10:05	Jones Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:05
Morris Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	09:48
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	09:48
	09:31	Beverley 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:30
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	09:13
Team Rebound	09:12
Dudley Technical	09:12
	09:12 [HOU 38-28]	Lin Free Throw Technical (5 PTS)
	09:12	Jump Ball Beverley vs Dudley (Morris gains possession)
Dudley Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)	09:00
	08:45	Anderson Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
	08:45
Dudley Substitution replaced by Dragic	08:45
Scola Hook Bank Shot: Missed	08:27
	08:26	Motiejunas Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:14	Jones Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Morris (1 ST)
	08:10	Beverley Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Dragic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	08:10
Team Rebound	08:10
	08:10	Anderson Substitution replaced by Harden
Dragic Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	08:10 [PHX 29-38]
	07:59	Beverley Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Morris Turnover : Traveling (3 TO)	07:41
Morris Foul: Personal (1 PF)	07:30
	07:18	Beverley 3pt Shot: Missed
Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:17
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Dragic (3 AST)	07:01 [PHX 32-38]
	06:38	Motiejunas Running Hook Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:37
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	06:24
Morris Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	06:20
Morris Dunk Shot: Missed	06:19
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:19
Scola Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	06:19 [PHX 34-38]
	06:15	Team Timeout : Regular
	06:15	Beverley Substitution replaced by Smith
	06:15	Jones Substitution replaced by Garcia
	06:15	Motiejunas Substitution replaced by Asik
Morris Foul: Personal (2 PF)	06:07
	05:52	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Dragic Pullup Jump shot: Missed	05:34
Morris Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	05:33
Scola Hook Shot: Made (6 PTS)	05:20 [PHX 36-38]
	05:06	Smith Foul: Offensive Charge (1 PF)
	05:06	Smith Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Morris Turnover : 3 Second Violation (4 TO)	04:49
Morris Foul: Personal (3 PF)	04:44
	04:39 [HOU 40-36]	Smith Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Harden (3 AST)
Morris Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Asik (1 ST)	04:26
	04:21 [HOU 42-36]	Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	04:10
	04:08	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	04:04	Lin Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Dragic (3 ST)
Morris Layup Shot: Missed Block: Asik (1 BLK)	03:58
Scola Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	03:56
Scola Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	03:55 [PHX 38-42]
	03:46	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
	03:45	Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	03:31	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	03:28
Morris Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Morris (1 AST)	03:27 [PHX 40-42]
	03:07 [HOU 45-40]	Garcia 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Lin (3 AST)
	02:50	Smith Foul: Personal (2 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:50
Morris Substitution replaced by Tucker	02:50
Scola Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Morris (2 AST)	02:42 [PHX 42-45]
	02:30	Lin Jump Shot: Missed
	02:29	Asik Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
Scola Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	02:23
	02:23 [HOU 46-42]	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
Marshall Substitution replaced by Johnson	02:23
	02:23 [HOU 47-42]	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
	02:09	Harden Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (3 FTA)
Johnson Free Throw 1 of 3 (1 PTS)	02:09 [PHX 43-47]
Johnson Free Throw 2 of 3 (2 PTS)	02:09 [PHX 44-47]
Johnson Free Throw 3 of 3 (3 PTS)	02:09 [PHX 45-47]
	01:52	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	01:51
Johnson Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Dragic (4 AST)	01:45 [PHX 47-47]
	01:36	Garcia 3pt Shot: Missed
Tucker Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	01:35
Scola Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Dragic (5 AST)	01:18 [PHX 49-47]
	01:04	Harden Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Tucker (1 ST)
Dragic Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Morris (3 AST)	01:00 [PHX 51-47]
Tucker Foul: Personal (3 PF) (2 FTA)	00:44.9
	00:44.9 [HOU 48-51]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	00:44.9 [HOU 49-51]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed	00:37.9
Morris Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	00:35.9
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	00:34.0
Team Rebound	00:32.0
	00:32.0	Garcia Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF)
Team Timeout : Short	00:32.0
Johnson Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Dragic (6 AST)	00:23.5 [PHX 53-49]
	00:05.0	Lin Running Jump Shot: Missed
	00:04.0	Asik Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)
	00:04.0 [HOU 51-53]	Asik Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Tucker Running Jump Shot: Missed	00:00.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 2nd Quarter
Phoenix Suns (23-55)		Houston Rockets (44-34)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	11:45
	11:44	Asik Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)
	11:39	Harden Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Morris (1 ST)
Johnson Pullup Jump shot: Missed	11:33
Team Rebound	11:32
	11:32	Garcia Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Dragic Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Garcia (1 ST)	11:15
	11:11 [HOU 53-53]	Garcia Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Johnson Jump Shot: Missed	10:54
Team Rebound	10:52
Dragic Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Lin (2 ST)	10:34
	10:31 [HOU 55-53]	Lin Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	10:16
	10:13	Team Rebound
	09:55 [HOU 57-53]	Smith Hook Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Johnson Running Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)	09:34 [PHX 55-57]
	09:22	Harden Step Back Jump shot: Missed
	09:21	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:7)
	09:20	Asik Layup Shot: Missed Block: Scola (1 BLK)
	09:19	Team Rebound
	09:13	Lin Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Smith (1 ST)	09:02
	08:55 [HOU 59-55]	Smith Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Garcia (2 AST)
Johnson Jump Shot: Missed	08:44
	08:43	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:39	Garcia Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Scola (1 ST)
Scola Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Dragic (7 AST)	08:33 [PHX 57-59]
	08:17 [HOU 61-57]	Harden Running Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS)
Johnson Running Jump Shot: Missed	08:06
	08:05	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:8)
	07:51 [HOU 63-57]	Asik Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Lin (4 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	07:43
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Harden (2 ST)	07:38
	07:29	Harden Jump Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	07:27
Tucker Turnaround Hook Shot: Missed	07:19
	07:18	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:9)
	07:14 [HOU 65-57]	Smith Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Lin (5 AST)
Tucker Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (1 FTA)	07:14
Tucker Substitution replaced by Marshall	07:14
Johnson Substitution replaced by Morris	07:14
	07:14	Smith Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	07:14
Marshall 3pt Shot: Missed	06:56
	06:55	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:10)
	06:49	Garcia 3pt Shot: Missed
Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:48
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Scola (2 AST)	06:36 [PHX 60-65]
	06:16	Garcia 3pt Shot: Missed
	06:15	Smith Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
	06:10	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	06:09
Scola Driving Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Dragic (8 AST)	06:04 [PHX 62-65]
	06:04	Asik Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
Scola Free Throw 1 of 1 (17 PTS)	06:04 [PHX 63-65]
	05:52 [HOU 67-63]	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS)
Morris Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Harden (3 ST)	05:32
	05:27 [HOU 69-63]	Garcia Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Lin (6 AST)
Dragic Driving Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)	05:21 [PHX 65-69]
	05:07	Harden Turnover : Bad Pass (6 TO)
Scola Substitution replaced by O'Neal	05:07
Dragic Jump Shot: Missed	04:48
Morris Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	04:47
Morris Putback Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	04:46 [PHX 67-69]
	04:32 [HOU 71-67]	Asik Slam Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Harden (4 AST)
O'Neal Layup Shot: Missed	04:13
	04:11	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:11)
	04:03	Asik Layup Shot: Missed Block: Morris (2 BLK)
Morris Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	04:01
Morris Layup Shot: Missed	03:54
	03:53	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	03:48 [HOU 73-67]	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS)
O'Neal Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (1 FTA)	03:48
	03:48	Garcia Substitution replaced by Beverley
	03:48	Smith Substitution replaced by Jones
	03:48 [HOU 74-67]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 1 (22 PTS)
Dragic Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Marshall (2 AST)	03:34 [PHX 69-74]
Morris Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (2 FTA)	03:20
	03:20 [HOU 75-69]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (23 PTS)
Morris Substitution replaced by Dudley	03:20
	03:20 [HOU 76-69]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (24 PTS)
Dragic Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO)	03:08
	02:44 [HOU 78-69]	Harden Jump Shot: Made (26 PTS) Assist: Jones (2 AST)
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Marshall (3 AST)	02:23 [PHX 72-78]
	02:07	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:06	Asik Rebound (Off:5 Def:11)
	02:05	Asik Layup Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	02:03
Marshall Layup Shot: Missed	01:53
	01:52	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	01:47	Beverley 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:46	Asik Rebound (Off:6 Def:11)
	01:43	Asik Hook Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	01:42
Dragic Driving Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS)	01:36 [PHX 74-78]
	01:33	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:33	Asik Substitution replaced by Smith
	01:11	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:09	Jones Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	00:58.9	Harden Turnover : Lost Ball (7 TO) Steal:Marshall (1 ST)
Dragic 3pt Shot: Missed	00:42.9
	00:40.9	Lin Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:28.9	Jones Jump Shot: Missed
O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	00:27.4
Marshall Jump Shot: Missed	00:05.9
	00:04.9	Jones Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	00:00.0	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 3rd Quarter
Phoenix Suns (23-55)		Houston Rockets (44-34)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:40	Smith Hook Shot: Missed
	11:39	Jones Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	11:38 [HOU 80-74]	Jones Putback Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Morris Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: O'Neal (1 AST)	11:16 [PHX 76-80]
	10:58	Smith Driving Dunk Shot: Missed
Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:57
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	10:45
	10:44	Jones Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	10:37	Harden Running Jump Shot: Missed
O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	10:36
Dudley 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Marshall (4 AST)	10:30 [PHX 79-80]
	10:11	Beverley 3pt Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	10:10
O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Dudley (1 AST)	10:00 [PHX 81-80]
	10:00	Jones Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)
	10:00	Smith Substitution replaced by Asik
O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	10:00
	10:00	Jones Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
O'Neal Violation:Defensive Goaltending	09:45
	09:45 [HOU 82-81]	Garcia Driving Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Harden (5 AST)
Marshall Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Beverley (1 ST)	09:41
	09:37 [HOU 84-81]	Beverley Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Scola Reverse Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Dudley (2 AST)	09:18 [PHX 83-84]
	09:00	Garcia 3pt Shot: Missed
	08:59	Asik Rebound (Off:7 Def:11)
Marshall Foul: Personal (1 PF)	08:58
	08:58
	08:43 [HOU 86-83]	Beverley Driving Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Harden (6 AST)
Morris Layup Shot: Missed Block: Harden (1 BLK)	08:29
	08:27	Asik Rebound (Off:7 Def:12)
Dudley Foul: Personal (1 PF)	08:11
	08:05 [HOU 88-83]	Jones Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Beverley (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	07:52
Marshall Substitution replaced by Dragic	07:52
Morris Substitution replaced by Tucker	07:52
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Asik (2 ST)	07:35
	07:29	Jones Layup Shot: Missed Block: Dragic (1 BLK)
O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	07:27
Tucker Layup Shot: Missed Block: Beverley (1 BLK)	07:21
Tucker Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	07:20
	07:20	Asik Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Tucker Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	07:20 [PHX 84-88]
Tucker Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	07:20 [PHX 85-88]
	06:56 [HOU 90-85]	Jones Running Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Dudley Jump Shot: Missed	06:34
	06:33	Asik Rebound (Off:7 Def:13)
	06:28	Harden Layup Shot: Missed
	06:27	Team Rebound
O'Neal Foul: Loose Ball (4 PF)	06:27
	06:11	Harden Turnover : Lost Ball (8 TO) Steal:Dragic (4 ST)
Tucker Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Dragic (9 AST)	06:06 [PHX 87-90]
	05:52	Beverley Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	05:51
Scola Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Dragic (10 AST)	05:46 [PHX 89-90]
	05:44	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:44	Beverley Substitution replaced by Lin
	05:24	Harden Jump Shot: Missed
Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	05:22
Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed	05:12
	05:10	Asik Rebound (Off:7 Def:14)
	05:03	Garcia 3pt Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)	05:01
O'Neal Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	04:41 [PHX 91-90]
Tucker Foul: Personal (5 PF)	04:32
	04:19	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
Tucker Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	04:17
O'Neal Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	03:57
Team Rebound	03:56
Scola Jump Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Dudley (3 AST)	03:54 [PHX 93-90]
	03:42 [HOU 92-93]	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (28 PTS)
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed	03:15
Team Rebound	03:14
Scola Jump Shot: Made (25 PTS) Assist: Dudley (4 AST)	03:11 [PHX 95-92]
	02:56	Harden Foul: Offensive Charge (3 PF)
	02:56	Harden Turnover : Foul (9 TO)
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed	02:41
	02:41	Asik Rebound (Off:7 Def:15)
	02:31	Double Technical - Harden, Tucker
Scola Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	02:25
Scola Technical	02:25
	02:25	Harden Free Throw Technical Missed
	02:25	Team Rebound
	02:25 [HOU 93-95]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (29 PTS)
	02:25 [HOU 94-95]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (30 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:23
Tucker Illegal Screen Turnover : (1 TO)	02:15
	01:57 [HOU 96-95]	Lin Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Scola Hook Shot: Made (27 PTS)	01:39 [PHX 97-96]
	01:16	Asik Layup Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (1 BLK)
	01:15	Team Rebound
	01:15	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
	01:15	Lin Substitution replaced by Beverley
	01:05	Beverley Foul: Personal (2 PF)
	00:53.5	Jones Foul: Personal (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Scola Free Throw 1 of 2 (28 PTS)	00:53.5 [PHX 98-96]
Scola Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:53.5
	00:53.5	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	00:50.3	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:50.3	Beverley Substitution replaced by Lin
	00:40.9	Garcia 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:38.9	Garcia Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
O'Neal Foul: Shooting (5 PF) (2 FTA)	00:35.0
	00:35.0 [HOU 97-98]	Lin Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	00:35.0	Jones Substitution replaced by Smith
	00:35.0 [HOU 98-98]	Lin Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	00:35.0
	00:35.0	Lin Substitution replaced by Beverley
O'Neal Layup Shot: Missed Block: Asik (2 BLK)	00:24.0
Team Rebound	00:23.0
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	00:16.9
	00:16.4	Smith Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	00:09.1	Team Timeout : Short
	00:09.1	Smith Substitution replaced by Lin
O'Neal Violation:Defensive Goaltending	00:00.0
	00:00.0 [HOU 101-98]	Harden 3pt Shot: Made (33 PTS)
End of 4th Quarter