Houston Rockets Vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats
The Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns represent two contrasting trajectories in the NBA.
The Rockets, in the midst of a youth-driven rebuild, rely on emerging talents like Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, while the Suns, led by the superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, are firmly in championship contention.
Their recent matchup offered a fascinating statistical showdown one that reveals deeper narratives about roster construction, player efficiency, and the evolving dynamics of modern basketball.
While the Suns’ star power delivered expected dominance in scoring and efficiency, a closer examination of advanced metrics and role player contributions exposes critical weaknesses in Houston’s developmental approach and Phoenix’s defensive vulnerabilities, raising questions about sustainability for both franchises.
The Suns’ offensive firepower was on full display.
Kevin Durant’s 28 points (on 52% shooting) and Devin Booker’s 25 points (with 40% from three) underscored their elite shot creation.
According to NBA Advanced Stats, Durant’s true shooting percentage (TS%) of 65.
3% ranked in the 94th percentile among forwards, reinforcing his status as one of the most efficient scorers in history.
Booker’s playmaking (7 assists) further highlighted Phoenix’s ball-movement superiority, with the team assisting on 68% of field goals well above the league average (62.
1%).
Meanwhile, Houston’s Jalen Green posted 23 points but struggled with efficiency (39% FG, 31% 3P).
His -12 plus/minus reflected defensive lapses, a recurring issue noted by The Ringer’s NBA analysts.
Alperen Şengün’s 18 points and 10 rebounds showcased his offensive versatility, but his defensive rating (115.
3) ranked among the worst for centers, per Basketball-Reference.
Phoenix’s reliance on its stars masked concerning depth issues.
Their bench was outscored 42-28 by Houston’s, with Eric Gordon’s 15 points (50% from three) exploiting the Suns’ weak perimeter defense.
Research from Cleaning the Glass reveals Phoenix’s defensive rating drops by 6.
2 points when Durant sits, exposing their lack of two-way role players.
Houston’s Amen Thompson, however, emerged as a bright spot.
His 12 rebounds (5 offensive) and 3 steals highlighted his defensive potential, aligning with BBall Index’s analysis ranking him in the 89th percentile for steal rate among forwards.
Yet, Houston’s overall defensive rating (116.
7) remains bottom-10, per NBA.
com, raising questions about coach Ime Udoka’s system.
Phoenix’s offensive rating (118.
9) ranked top-5, but their 21st-ranked defense suggests a championship ceiling may be fragile.
Conversely, Houston’s net rating (-4.
1) reflects growing pains, but their 5th-ranked pace indicates a commitment to aggressive development a strategy debated among analysts.
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton argues that high-usage roles for Green and Şengün accelerate growth, while The Athletic’s John Hollinger warns against stat-padding at the cost of winning habits.
The Rockets-Suns matchup was more than a lopsided scoreline.
Phoenix’s stars dazzled, but their thin bench and defensive inconsistencies loom large in a loaded Western Conference.
Houston’s youth showed flashes, but inefficiency and defensive woes highlight the perils of rebuilding without veteran balance.
For the Suns, the stats suggest urgency to bolster depth; for the Rockets, they underscore the fine line between development and dysfunction.
In the NBA’s data-driven era, these nuances define success or expose fatal flaws.