With a 129-113 victory over the Houston Rockets, the Phoenix Suns were able to momentarily break free from their losing ways and improved their record to an even 15-15. 

The Suns have numerous problems on both ends of the court going into tonight’s game. In other words, everything about Phoenix, including play and body language, revealed that they were merely a shell of a championship squad. 

Phoenix was able to create space on the floor, hit open looks, and exhibit the much-needed energy that has been missing from their team.

Kevin Durant’s triple double, which included two steals and one block in addition to his 27-10-16 stat line against Washington on December 17, was the catalyst for Phoenix’s first victory since that game. 

With 16 assists, Durant tied a personal best.

After returning to Houston, Eric Gordon tied Durant with a personal best of 27 points on 7-11 long-range shooting. 

In the win, four of the five Suns starters scored sixteen points or more. For the sixth straight game, the lone starter, Jusuf Nurkic, scored eight points and pulled down ten or more rebounds.

Despite a late comeback by the Rockets, Phoenix led the game for the most part. With 1:21 left, Suns coach Frank Vogel depleted his bench. 

Choosing Udoka Azubuike over Drew Eubanks for the backup centre position, the latter had another excellent performance in 19 minutes off the bench, putting up 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. 

In place of Jordan Goodwin, Saben Lee scored nine points, including a perfect five-point shooting performance from the charity stripe. 

Eubanks and Goodwin did not play.

The Suns outrebounded Houston 44–33 and shot an impressive 57.3% from the floor as a unit. Phoenix committed 19 turnovers, but they still won. 

They scored the most points they have scored since defeating the Utah Jazz in double overtime on November 19 and led by as much as 21 points during the game.