The Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns duke it out at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday 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 in red-hot form as they’ve won eight of their last 10 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current six-game win streak after sneaking past the Warriors in a thrilling 117-116 road win on Sunday. Kevin Durant led the team with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Alperen Şengün added 24 points with six rebounds and seven assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in with 23 points on nine of 12 shooting. As a team, the Rockets shot 55 percent from the field and 13 of 29 from the 3-point line as they caught fire with 37 points in the third quarter to open up a 15-point lead, but they allowed the Warriors all the way back into the contest and looked headed for defeat before Sengun made the game-winning shot with just 11.7 seconds left on the clock.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns haven’t been at their best as they’ve dropped eight of their last 12 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after taking down the Bulls in a 120-110 road win on Sunday. Devin Booker led the team with 30 points on nine of 22 shooting, Jalen Green added 25 points on 11 of 21 shooting, and Dillon Brooks chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Suns shot 51 percent from the field and 13 of 32 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start thanks to Green and Booker, but the game tightened up and could’ve gone either way before the Suns closed the final 3:03 on a 11-2 run to secure the gritty road win.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Suns have won each of their last 12 games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last seven night games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last seven games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven night games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won each of their last seven games against the Suns.
- The Suns have lost 12 of their last 13 home games against Rockets teams that held a winning record.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the Suns’ last eight games at Mortgage Matchup Center.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games following a road win.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Suns’ last 12 games as home favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Rockets’ last four games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Jordan Goodwin ranks 5th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.4) this season.
- Mark Williams ranks 8th amongst qualified players for second-chance points per game (3.2) this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Alperen Sengun ranks 2nd in the league for points in the paint (970) this season.
- Amen Thompson ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (7.8) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season—led by 18 points vs. the Hawks on November 16.
- The Suns rank 30th in the league for Q4 points per game this season (26.0).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (47.9).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (14.9).
Suns vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still missing Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, while the Suns have ruled out Haywood Highsmith once again. The Rockets are coming into this matchup as the clear favorites and they’ve already beaten the Suns three times this season. The Rockets were somewhat lucky to get past the Warriors in their last outing, but they should be favorites in this matchup. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but as it stands, I prefer a play on the Rockets to continue their strong form with another win in this spot.