Suns hold off Rockets 102-99 behind Booker's late burst

The Suns beat the Rockets 102-99 at Mortgage Matchup Center. Devin Booker scored the Suns' last eight points in a 9-2 run in the fourth quarter that turned a 93-93 tie into a 102-95 lead. Houston never got closer than the final margin.

Phoenix jumped out with 35 first-quarter points, then managed only 12 in the second. Houston stayed within reach and the game stood level at 89-89 when Alperen Sengun hit a three with 7:06 left. Miles Bridges answered with a three for a 92-89 Suns edge. Jabari Smith Jr. made it 91-92, and Sengun's floater tied it at 93.

Booker then took over. He hit a pullup, a step back and a three, then a two-point shot with 2:30 left. Booker finished with 24 points. Amen Thompson scored on an alley oop, and Kevin Durant added a jumper with 46.7 seconds left to cut it to 102-99. Durant, the player of the game, had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Chirp's Sim had the Rockets winning 62% of the time. Phoenix is 3-5 now, and Houston is 7-3.