National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Houston 101, Phoenix 98
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Officials: #36 David Jones, #20 Leroy Richardson, #66 Haywoode Workman
Attendance: 16673
Rockets 101, Suns 98: James Harden got credit for the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer after a defensive goaltending call on Jermaine O’Neal as Houston survived a challenge from visiting Phoenix.

Harden finished with 33 points and Omer Asik matched a career high with 22 rebounds for the Rockets, who remained one game behind the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference.

Former Houston players Luis Scola (28 points and eight rebounds), Goran Dragic (15 and 10 assists) and Marcus Morris (11 points) led the charge as the Suns suffered their 10th straight loss.

The Rockets took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter and held a 90-85 edge after Terrence Jones knocked down a shot with 6:56 left. Phoenix began to pick up its pace from there, getting six points from Scola during a 10-2 run to grab a 95-92 edge with 3:11 to play.

It went back-and-forth into the final minute, with Jeremy Lin’s free throws knotting it at 98 with 35 seconds left. Asik blocked O’Neal’s layup and Scola missed a short jumper with 16 seconds remaining to gave Houston a chance for the win and Harden's 3-pointer from the wing bounced high off the rim and O'Neal tipped the ball while it was still in the cylinder.

GAME NOTEBOOK:
Rockets F Chandler Parsons (calf) missed his third straight game and G Carlos Delfino (illness) sat out his fourth consecutive contest. … Houston has won five of its last six games and will play two more on the current homestand before finishing with two on the road. … Phoenix dropped to 7-31 on the road and has not won outside of Arizona since Feb. 27 at San Antonio, a span of seven straight road games.
Top Game Performances
 
Phoenix   Houston
Luis Scola 28 Scoring James Harden 33
Goran Dragic 10 Assists James Harden 6
Markieff Morris 9 Rebounds Omer Asik 22
Luis Scola 4 Free Throws Made James Harden 13
Goran Dragic 4 Steals James Harden 3
Markieff Morris 2 Blocks Omer Asik 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Phoenix 98 44.2 7-12 15-19 24 41 5 9 19
Houston 101 43.0 6-30 21-24 19 44 5 11 18
Upcoming Games
  • Houston will play their next game at home against Memphis. The Rockets have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Phoenix will play their next game on the road against Dallas. The Suns have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.