PHOENIX -- The building went quiet when James Harden went to the free-throw line for three shots after a foul behind the arc by Suns forward Dario Saric in the first quarter. Down four, the Rockets were off to another slow start. But that soon changed. Harden made all three, scored 16 of the next 17 for Houston, and took the lead for good. Rarely does such an energy-killing play create momentum, but these are the Rockets.
Against the depleted Suns on the road, Houston rode an efficient scoring night from its stars in those mano a mano moments to a third straight victory.