The Phoenix Suns play host to the Houston Rockets at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Monday night. Here’s a Suns vs Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Suns vs Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets have been on a tear as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall. They will be looking to bounce back in this one after having their five-game win streak halted by the Nuggets in a 112-109 loss on Friday. Reed Sheppard led the team with 27 points on nine of 13 shooting off the bench, Amen Thompson added 22 points, Jabari Smith Jr scored 21 points with 11 rebounds and four assists while Alperen Sengun chipped in with 14 points and six assists.
As a team, the Rockets shot 44 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 37 points in the second quarter to overcome a slow start after scoring just 12 points in the first quarter. But even with the lead in the fourth quarter, the Rockets couldn’t hold off the Nuggets who took control with a 12-3 run late in the game to steal the lead for good.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been on a tear as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after beating the Spurs in a 111-102 win last night. Dillon Brooks led the team with 25 points on 10 of 24 shooting, Devin Booker added 24 points with seven assists while Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie each scored 15 points.
As a team, the Suns shot 44 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble early after falling behind by 11 points in the first half. Before they flipped the script and outscored the Spurs by 62-46 in the second half to win comfortably at home. The Suns really took care of the ball all night to finish with just six turnovers while forcing the Spurs into 19 turnovers.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Suns have won each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Rockets have lost 10 of their last 12 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against the Suns after losing as favorites.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Suns have lost each of their last nine games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Rockets have won 11 of their last 12 road games against Pacific Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 12 games as underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Rockets’ last seven road games following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Suns’ last four home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season – led by 18 points vs Hawks on November 16.
- The Suns rank 2nd in the league for steals per game this season (10.7).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (49.6).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (37.9).
Suns vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are going to be shorthanded for this one with Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, Dorian Finney-Smith and Fred VanVleet, while the Suns are missing Grayson Allen and Jalen Green again. The Suns deserve plenty of credit as they’ve quietly been one of the hottest teams and they looked good in last night’s win over the Spurs. Sure, the Suns are playing their second game of a back to back set, but I think the Rockets will struggle without Kevin Durant in this one. This should still be close, but I have the Suns pulling off the minor upset in this spot.