Suns Extend Winning Streak to Four After Defeating Houston

The Phoenix Suns, propelled by birthday boy Devin Booker yet again, extend their winning streak after defeating the Houston Rockets.

Author:
Spencer Cihak
Oct 31, 2022 12:22 AM EDT

In this story:

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns (5-1) defeated the Houston Rockets (1-6) 124-109 Sunday night in Phoenix at the Footprint Center. It is the second time in the past three years the Suns have matched their franchise-best 5-1 start after doing so in the 2019-20 season.

The Rockets did not let Phoenix run too far away with the lead throughout the game, trailing by just five with 5:40 in the fourth quarter.

Houston was able to take advantage of a Deandre Ayton-less Suns team tonight, out-rebounding Phoenix 49 to 36. Bismack Biyombo found himself in foul trouble early on and because of that, Jock Landale finished with 23 minutes off the bench and provided a spark when needed.

Landale finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Suns head coach Monty Williams talked about the importance of big-man play heading into the game:

“You may be in more switching situations, which would lead you into going a different way or go small,” said Williams. “It is just one of those things you try to figure out on the fly, you hope to do the best or make the best decision that you can.”

Devin Booker celebrated his birthday by being red hot in the first half, scoring 21 of his 30 points through two periods of play. Booker’s 30 points leaves him tied for fourth with Kevin Johnson and Eric Bledsoe for most points scored on their birthday.

Booker also fell just short of history tonight, having now scored 176 points through six games. This leaves him nine points behind franchise leader Charlie Scott in 1972-73 at 185.

The Suns have now won 54 straight games when holding their opponents to under 110 points while also winning nine straight against the Rockets, the longest such streak against Houston in franchise history.

The Phoenix Suns will stay in the Valley to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday before the Portland Trail Blazers come to town on Friday to play a doubleheader.

Thank you for making Inside The Suns your destination for Phoenix Suns news. Please be sure to give us a like on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @InsideTheSunsFN for news, updates, analysis and more!