PHOENIX (AP) - Patrick Beverley is not the first option for the Houston offense. In fact, he might be the fifth.
That didn't keep him from making the biggest shot of the night in the Rockets' 115-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Beverley's 3-pointer with 34.3 seconds to play put Houston ahead for good, then his two free throws with 20 seconds to go, the last of his 12 fourth-quarter points, helped seal the win.
"Patrick's not afraid at all," Houston coach Kevin McHale said. "He just goes and plays."
Dwight Howard scored 25, James Harden 23 and Beverley 20 for the Rockets, who trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter but pulled out their ninth victory in 10 games.
Beverley credited the pass from Harden that set up his big 3.
"I try to do the little things and shoot open shots," Beverley said. "We have to understand that teams lock in on James and Dwight and I was in the weak side corner and (Harden) made a phenomenal play. That was a big shot, but the way we defended in the fourth quarter really was the key to this game."