National Basketball Association
Houston 112, Phoenix 95
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, January 12, 2018
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Officials: #63 Derek Richardson, #41 Ken Mauer, #58 Josh Tiven
Attendance: 18055
Houston guard Chris Paul had 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and six Rockets scored in double figures in an easy 112-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.

Ryan Anderson and Trevor Ariza scored 18 points apiece for Houston. Clint Capela had 17 points and 16 rebounds for his 21st season double-double for the Rockets, who improved to 5-2 without NBA leading scorer James Harden.

Guard Devin Booker had 27 points and nine assists and TJ Warren had 21 points for the Suns, who had won four of seven since Booker returned from injury.

The Rockets made 15 of 47 3-point attempts (31.9 percent), extending to 37 their NBA record for consecutive games of at least 10 threes.

Anderson and Ariza had four 3-pointers apiece, and Paul, P.J. Tucker and Eric Gordon had two apiece. Gordon, who has started in Harden's absence, scored 14 points but made just 5 of 19 shots from the floor.

Houston had a 53-38 rebounding edge.

Rockets reserves Gerald Green had 12 points and Tucker had six points and nine rebounds. Both are former Suns.

Dragan Bender finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, and Tyson Chandler grabbed 11 rebounds for Phoenix.

Bender, Booker and Tyler Ulis made 3-pointers as the Suns broke to a 21-10 lead, but the Rockets turned it around with a 37-8 run capped by Anderson's two free throws for a 47-29 lead with 5:13 remaining in the first half.

Harden has missed the past seven games with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. He has not played since scoring 40 in a 148-142 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on New Year's Eve.

The Suns played without starting forward Marquese Chriss (hip flexor) and reserves Josh Jackson (hip) and Isaiah Canaan (adductor). Jackson had his first career double-double with 17 points and a season-high 10 rebounds in the Suns' previous game, a 114-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

Houston power forward Nene missed his fifth consecutive game with a knee injury, and center Tarik Black was held out after sustaining an eye abrasion Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Houston   Phoenix
Chris Paul 25 Scoring Devin Booker 27
Chris Paul 6 Assists Devin Booker 9
Clint Capela 16 Rebounds Tyson Chandler 11
Gerald Green 5 Free Throws Made Devin Booker 6
Ryan Anderson 2 Steals Devin Booker 2
Chris Paul 2 Blocks Dragan Bender 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Houston 112 41.5 15-47 19-22 18 53 4 11 11
Phoenix 95 46.2 14-33 7-9 27 38 3 5 19
Upcoming Games
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against Indiana. The Suns have a W/L % of .312 after a win and .407 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game on the road against L.A. Clippers. The Rockets have a W/L % of .828 after a win and .500 after a loss.