Suns end Rockets' six-game home winning streak

HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets underperformed their offensive and lost to the Phoenix Suns 97-88 at Toyota Center Wednesday night, making an end to their six-game home winning streak.

Houston trailed behind Phoenix for the most part of the game and only enjoyed a brief lead in the first half, though never by more than two. The Rockets saw a glimmer of hope in the third quarter when they closed the deficit to 63-61, but the Suns quickly picked up their momentum and brushed aside the host team.

The Rockets tried to overtake the Suns when they opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run to cut the Suns' lead to 75-74 with 7 minutes remaining. But the Suns, as they did throughout the game, responded with a barrage of shots, thrashing Houston's attempt.

The Rockets had their fewest points of the season in the game, making a season-low 35.2 percent of their shots with 23 turnovers, one shy of their most this season.

With Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin out, James Harden was unable to find his shooting touch, missing all 10 of his 3-pointers. Francisco Garcia, who started a second-consecutive game in Parsons' small forward spot, went 3 of 9.

Harden scored 14 points while Dwight Howard paired 15 points with 18 rebounds. Aaron Brooks added 17 points and six assists off the bench. Omri Casspi had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets.

Guard Eric Bledsoe paced the Suns with 20 points and seven assists, and Goran Dragic added 19 points. Forwards P.J. Tucker had 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The loss snapped the Rockets' six-game home winning streak and was their second straight defeat. The team is 13-7 on the season.