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The Houston Rockets edged the Phoenix Suns 100–97 on January 5 at Toyota Center in a defensive struggle that fell well short of the 222.5-point Vegas total. Kevin Durant led Houston with 26 points, while Devin Booker paced Phoenix with 27 points in a matchup where both offenses labored: the Rockets shot 43.7 percent from the field with nine three-pointers, and the Suns managed 42 percent while connecting on 14 threes. Houston's advantage came through rebounding discipline, securing 51 boards to Phoenix's 40, and a third-quarter clamp-down in which the Rockets held the Suns to just 18 points—a 6-point swing from their first-half pace. Phoenix's 23 assists and 11 steals showcased ball movement and perimeter pressure, yet Houston's balanced scoring, with J. Smith Jr. adding 17 points, proved decisive in the final frame when both teams scored 22 and 19 points respectively. The Rockets' 105.0 offensive rating and 105.1 defensive rating reflected the tight, grinding nature of the contest. Houston's home-court control positions them favorably in the Western Conference standings.