On February 17, Beijing time, the Suns, the number one in the league, fought back-to-back with the Rockets at home. The Rockets, which swallowed five straight losses, are currently ranked first from the bottom in the West. In that game, rockets Kevin Porter Jr. and Christianwood were absent.
In the first half, the two teams played against each other on the court, and after the first quarter, the Rockets took a five-point lead. In the second quarter, the Rockets blossomed at multiple points, and the outside line was also able to hit three-pointers, extending the point difference to 12 points. At halftime, the Suns trailed the Rockets by eight points, 59-67.
At halftime, the Rockets were eight points ahead of the Suns
The Suns topped the league's record, while the Rockets were at the bottom of the West. Being able to lead the championship favorite Phoenix by 8 points at the end of the half, the Rockets will be described as a big upset.
In the first quarter, Tate dunked, Ayton scored, Eric Gordon scored on the basket, Jack Crowd hit a long-range shot, Ayton and Tate each scored 2 goals, Booker scored on a layup, and Jaylen Green scored 2 free throws. Shinkin steals Ayton, Schroeder assists Green to complete the dunk, Paul scores 2 free throws, Tate scores on a rebound, Crowder scores 2 free throws, and Jaylen Green responds with a three-pointer. Paul assisted Ayton's throw and the Suns asked for a timeout.
Rockets new signing Dennis Schroeder
Schroeder made 2 free throws, Paul did not score a three-pointer in the open position, Shin Kyung scored a basket, Tate and Paul scored 2 goals each, Cameron Johnson hit a long shot, the Suns clenched the score, and the Rockets requested a timeout. Booker scored on a layup, Jaylen Green made another long-range shot and Bridges scored a free throw. McGee scored on a layup, Schroeder made 2 free throws, Nwaba scored a free throw, Cameron Johnson scored a single shot, Christopher scored a layup, and Gordon scored a counter-basket. After the first quarter, the Rockets led 32-27.
After the first quarter, the Rockets led by five points
In the second quarter, Aaron Holliday scored four consecutive points, Gordon scored on a basket, Paul scored a mid-range shot, McGee hit a 2+1 hit, and the Suns rebounded the score. Gordon hit 1 of 2 free throws, Garrison Matthews hit a long-range shot and Paul hit 2+1 again in color. The Rockets tried to shoot from far away, McGee sent a big hat, Craig scored on a layup, Martin Jr. dunked into a 2+1 also in color, and Gordon hit the board. Bridges scored 1 goal, Martin Jr. threw in, Paul scored on a mid-range shot, Craig scored 2+0, Tate hit 2 free throws, and the two teams clenched the score.
Bridges scored 1 goal, Schroeder scored on a jumper, Jaylen Green scored on a layup and Tate hit 2 free throws. Ayton scored a goal and Matthews returned the long-range shot. Booker and Schroeder were each blocked by opponents, Booker blasted in a three-pointer, and Tate rushed to the inside to score four points. Booker scored on a layup, Shin Kyung hit a long-range shot, and scored in the low position, giving the Rockets a 12-point lead. Crowder slammed into a high jumper, Bridges scored two free throws, Martin Jr. missed a dunk and Holliday missed a dunk. Shin Kyung hit all 2 free throws, and Ayton pressed the whistle to throw a shot. At halftime, the Rockets led 67-59.
After halftime, the Suns trailed by eight points
Rockets Tate played 14 minutes in the half, shooting 4-of-6, 0-of-1 from three-point range and 8-of-8 from the free throw line, scoring 16 points and seven boards. Tate kept pounding the interior, causing a lot of trouble for the Suns in the penalty area. Tate, who scored the highest score in the half, was the rocket's half-time leader. In the first half, Tate shot 67 percent from the field and was the player who walked to the free throw line the most times in the half.
Rockets tough guy Tate
Suns star Chris Paul played 17 minutes at halftime, shooting 3-of-4, 0-of-1 from three-point range and 5-of-5 from the free throw line, with 11 points, 5 assists and 2 steals. Facing the old lord, Paul showed a strong competitiveness. Paul scored the team's highest score at halftime with 75 percent shooting. In addition, Paul is also the king of assists and steals in the half. Paul's brilliant performance is the key to the Suns' ability to close the point difference to single digits at the end of the half.
Chris Paul held the ball on the field
Suns star Booker played 19 minutes in the half, shooting 4-of-12, 1-of-1 three-pointer and 0 free throws to get 9 points and 1 board. Booker was the Suns' top scorer, but he only shot 33 percent from the field at halftime. Booker's slump was an important reason why the Suns fell behind the Rockets in the first half. Booker needs to increase aggression on the offensive end.
Booker defends Jaylen Green
Half-time stats for both teams
Rockets: Tate 16 points and 7 rebounds, Shin Kyung 9 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, Jaylen Green 12 points, Gordon 10 points, Schroder 6 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, Matthews 6 points, Martin Jr. 5 points and 4 rebounds, Nwaba 1 point and 2 rebounds, Christopher 2 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Suns: Paul 11 points, 5 assists and 2 steals, Bridges 5 points and 4 rebounds, Crowder 7 points and 4 rebounds, Ayton 9 points and 5 rebounds, Booker 9 points and 1 board, Cameron Johnson 5 points, Holliday 4 points and 4 assists, McGee 5 points and 5 rebounds, Craig 4 points and 1 rebound.