Houston @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 7, 2019 ) Phoenix 109, Houston 115

The Houston Rockets are showing that no deficit is too large for their explosive offense. They'll try to avoid having to make any dramatic comeback when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Saturday in the second of a four-game road trip.

After rallying from 25 points down to defeat San Antonio on Monday, Houston overcame a 16-point deficit in the second half to topple the Los Angeles Clippers 122-117 on Thursday behind 40 points and 10 rebounds by Russell Westbrook. "We kept plugging and the difference in the final three minutes was that James (Harden) hit a few daggers and took his game to a higher level," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "(PJ Tucker's) defense on (Kawhi) Leonard was unbelievable and Russ was really good out there all night." Including a 115-109 triumph at home earlier this month, Houston owns 12 straight victories over the Suns to even the all-time series at 107 wins apiece. That six-point loss to the Rockets kicked off a 1-6 stretch for Phoenix, which fell 126-108 at Oklahoma City on Friday.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBATV, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (19-9): Westbrook is averaging 29.2 points on 50.4 percent shooting over his last six games following three straight contests in which he was held below 20 points. Harden posted his second straight 28-point effort while handing out 10 assists in the win over the Clippers. He is averaging 37.3 points, nine rebounds, 7.5 assists and 3.5 steals over the last four games versus the Suns.

ABOUT THE SUNS (11-17): Guard Devin Booker returned from a three-game layoff due to a concussion to produce 18 points in 28 minutes in Friday's loss. Ricky Rubio finished with 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting after going a combined 6-of-26 from the floor over the previous two games. Rubio has at least eight assists in each of his last 11 games, including 13 in the loss at Houston on Dec. 7.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rockets C Clint Capela is 15-for-18 from the floor over his last two games.

2. Suns PF Frank Kaminsky was held to three points while shooting 1-for-6 on Friday after averaging 18.8 points on 51.7 percent shooting over his previous four contests.

3. Houston has won four straight road games.

PREDICTION: Rockets 118, Suns 109