PHOENIX, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Shawn Marion scored 15 of his 25 points in the final 12 minutes Saturday night as Phoenix upended Houston, 102-87.
The Suns had dropped eight of their previous 12 games, changing coaches while falling into the basement of the Pacific Division. A major reason for the slide was poor play in the fourth quarter.
Against the NBA's third-best defensive team, the Suns shot an amazing 70 percent (12-of-17) in the final period and pulled away for their second win in six games under new coach Mike D'Antoni.
Phoenix shot over 40 percent in the final quarter for just the third time in the last 13 games. The Suns were nursing an 83-79 lead with 4:03 remaining before Marion scored seven points during a game-ending 19-8 spurt.
Kelvin Cato and Cuttino Mobley each had 16 for the Rockets.
