Suns take on Rockets in first game of post-Markieff era
Houston's second-half playoff push will happen with Dwight Howard still around, while Phoenix will play out the season devoid of Markieff Morris.
Some fresh faces probably couldn't hurt for the Suns as they return from the All-Star break Friday night hoping to end another lengthy losing streak before it reaches double digits against the visiting Rockets, who entered the eight-day layoff describing themselves as "broken."
The game can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona and FOX Sports GO, starting at 7 p.m.
The Suns (14-40) shipped Morris to Washington on Thursday, a week after his sideline skirmish with teammate Archie Goodwin, for a protected first-round draft pick and forwards Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair.
The forward had regressed greatly this season, averaging 11.6 points in 24.8 minutes while shooting 38.7 percent a season after being at a career-high 15.3 points, 31.5 minutes and 46.5 percent last year. Morris was also suspended for two games in December after throwing a towel at since-fired coach Jeff Hornacek during a game.
"The season hasn't gone how we thought it would or hoped it could, and we all take responsibility for that," said general manager Ryan McDonough, who will have three first-round picks this year if Washington's isn't higher than No. 10. "I share in the responsibility. But as far as the deal, we think it's a really good deal for us."
After some speculation, Houston (27-28) ended up holding onto Howard through Thursday's trade deadline, and he's now charged with helping to turn things around for the up-and-down Rockets. The Rockets did make one trade, sending forward/center Donatas Motiejunas and guard Marcus Thornton to Detroit in a three-team trade that also includes Philadelphia.
Houston received a protected 2016 first-round pick from Detroit and the draft rights of forward Chukwudiebere Maduabum from the 76ers.
The Rockets' three-game losing streak heading into the break had them surpass last season's loss total of 26. A playoff spot was a forgone conclusion at this time last year before marching on to the Western Conference finals, but there was no such optimism after a 116-103 loss in Portland on Feb. 10.
"We're broken. It's that simple," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Right now we are a broken team. It's easy to see. It's a fragmented bunch. You can't win that way."
James Harden agreed, despite scoring 34 points with 11 assists and nine rebounds.
"It's frustrating that we're broken," said Harden, who's averaged 34.7 points per game on the skid while making 13 of 27 from 3-point range. "We're just not willing to help each other out."
Howard didn't see the need to lend further support after managing 28 points on 13-of-17 shooting with 13 rebounds.
"I'm not going to talk about what's broken," he said after a third straight double-double while averaging 20.3 points and 14.0 rebounds. "All we do is talk about the issues that we have. Nobody's being positive."
The Suns have a more drastic losing streak to worry about after last week's 112-104 home loss to Golden State gave them their second nine-game skid over an NBA-worst 2-24 span. They last lost 10 straight toward the end of 2012-13. The last five have come at home, all since interim coach Earl Watson replaced Jeff Hornacek.
Goodwin is averaging 16.8 points in his last 11 games since entering the starting lineup, handling the point guard position due to the injury absences of Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Ronnie Price. Knight and Price are expected back soon, though their status for Friday night is unknown.
