Suns Strokes: Suns blown out by Rockets in Houston

Mar 14, 2013, 5:36 AM | Updated: 5:37 am

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a basketball game. So, we will give you Suns Strokes, providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Suns’ 111-81 loss to the Rockets on March 13.

The Good:

Wesley Johnson had a team-high 15 points, but 10 of those came in the first quarter, which goes to show how the night went for the Suns. Johnson also added two rebounds and three assists.

The Bad:

To say the Suns’ defensive struggles continued would be an understatement. Lindsey Hunter’s squad appeared sloppy and lethargic in the second half, including a nightmarish third quarter that saw the Rockets outscore the Suns by a 32-17 margin.

Houston rookie Donatas Motiejunas had a career-high 19 points and dominated the Suns’ front court. Six Rockets’ players scored in double figures in the win.

Houston ended the first half on a 20-2 run, and never looked back.

Noted:

• The Suns have now lost four of their last five games.

• Despite shooting 50 percent in the first half, the Suns still trailed the Rockets by 13 points.

• The Rockets outrebounded the Suns 46-29.

Up Next:

The Suns will head to Atlanta to take on the Hawks. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 4:30 p.m.

Phoenix Suns' Luis Scola (14) tries to drive past Houston Rockets' Omer Asik (3) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Phoenix Suns' Wesley Johnson (2) shoots over Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas (20) and Omer Asik during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Phoenix Suns head coach Lindsey Hunter reacts during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Rockets' Greg Smith dunks over Phoenix Suns' Jermaine O'Neal (20) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Phoenix Suns' Michael Beasley (0) tries to drive past Houston Rockets' Thomas Robinson during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic shoots during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic shoots past Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Rockets' Omer Asik has the ball knocked away by Phoenix Suns' Wesley Johnson (2) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Rockets' Jeremy Lin goes up against Phoenix Suns' Wesley Johnson (2) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Rockets' Jeremy Lin smiles as he is helped up by teammates during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Rockets' Chandler Parsons (25) knocks the ball away from Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris (11) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Rockets' Thomas Robinson dunks during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Rockets' Aaron Brooks, left, drives around Phoenix Suns' Kendall Marshall (12) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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