PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are hot after winning three straight matchups to keep their play-in tournament hopes alive, and much of the thanks can be attributed to star Kevin Durant.

Kevin Durant had a 42-point masterpiece in the Suns win against the Cavs on Friday, and he detailed how he got that mark.

At age 36, Kevin Durant is a bucket. Even with Evan Mobley — the betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year — as the primary defender, Durant dropped 42 on the Cavaliers giving the Suns a critical win and the Cavaliers their fourth straight loss.

With a split between Durant and the middling Phoenix Suns (34-37) appearing increasingly likely , longtime league insider Chris Mannix says he believes Houston will be the most appealing trade destination to Durant himself. Via Mannix' latest mailbag in Sports Illustrated:

"It’s no secret that Phoenix will split with Kevin Durant this summer. Durant has one year left on his contract and even approaching 37 still has incredibly high value. I thinka

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix believes Houston could be a realistic landing spot for the Suns superstar Kevin Durant.