NBA: Houston 116, Phoenix 112

HOUSTON, March 7 (UPI) -- Aaron Brooks put Houston in front with 7.3 seconds to play Friday night and the Rockets held on to defeat Phoenix 116-112.

Brooks' layup gave him am NBA career-best 30 points and boosted the Rockets to their ninth win in 11 games.

Ron Artest added 21 points, Carl Landry had 16 and Luis Scola 15. Yao Ming scored 15 and equaled his high of the season with six assists.

After Brooks gave Houston a 114-112 lead, Steve Nash missed a 3-point attempt. Artest converted two free throws with a second left to account for the final score.

Nash had a season-best 32 points, but the Suns fell to 0-3 on a four-game road trip. Shaquille O'Neal made 8-of-12 shots and scored 17 points for the Suns.