The Houston Rockets defeated the Phoenix Suns, 108-102, at Toyota Center on Friday night.

The Suns (16-54) have been playing much more competitively of late, and they continued that trend early in their difficult road matchup versus the short-handed Rockets (43-26). Phoenix surprisingly jumped out to a 31-26 first-quarter lead and still held a two-point advantage at halftime. After a third quarter where each squad matched the other bucket for bucket, Houston finally took control with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, finishing the game on a 13-6 run. The home squad played without Chris Paul, who sat out for rest.

Devin Booker led the way for the Suns with 27 points, adding seven assists and five rebounds. Kelly Oubre, Jr. supplied 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks. Deandre Ayton turned in a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double. Josh Jackson furnished 13 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. Richaun Holmes generated a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench.

James Harden paced the Rockets with 38 points and complemented them with 10 assists, seven rebounds, five steals and three blocks. Eric Gordon poured in 19 points and also compiled four rebounds and three assists. Danuel House, Jr. supplied 18 points, three rebounds and one steal. Clint Capela managed a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one steal and one block.

The Suns next pay a visit to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, while the Rockets remain home to tangle with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.