The Houston Rockets (15-41) are on the road to face the Phoenix Suns (47-10) Wednesday night. It is the Rockets’ second-to-last game before the All-Star break and the Suns’ last game before it. Tip-off is 9 p.m. ET at Footprint Center. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Rockets have lost five games in a row and nine of their last 10 contests. They are in last place in the Western Conference. They are 7-26 against teams in the West and have been equally bad at home and on the road. They have eight home wins and seven road wins.
The Suns continue to have the best record in the NBA and sit in first place in the West with a 5.5-game lead. They are playing for the second night in a row after a 103-96 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers. They have won six straight games and 17 of their last 18.
Rockets at Suns odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +900 (bet $100 to win $900) | Suns -2000 (bet $2000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +15.5 (-110) | Suns -15.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Rockets at Suns key injuries
Rockets
- F Usman Garuba (wrist) out
Suns
- F Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
- G Cameron Payne (wrist) out
- F Dario Saric (knee) out
- G Landry Shamet (ankle) out
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Rockets at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 124, Rockets 105
Money line
PASS on the money line. The Rockets have been playing too poorly recently, and on the road in general, to make them a smart bet against the best team in the league, even with a big potential payout.
And it doesn’t make any sense to bet 20 times what your payout could be on the Suns.
Against the spread
The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in five straight games. They have covered the spread in only one of their last eight losses. They lost twice to the Suns already this season by 12 and by 26 points. They have allowed over 130 points in three of their last five games.
They are 22-33-1 ATS overall and 14-15 ATS on the road.
The Suns failed to cover the spread in their 103-96 win Tuesday night over the Clippers. However, their two wins before that were by 27 and 24 points, respectively.
Phoenix is 15-15 ATS at home this season.
Expect them to play like they did against the Orlando Magic in their 132-105 win.
Take the SUNS -15.5 (-110).
Over/Under
The Over has hit in six of the Rockets’ last 10 games.
The Suns’ game Tuesday stayed Under the projected total, but seven of their last 10 games have gone Over.
They have scored 127 or more in three of their last five games. The Rockets have allowed more than 130 in three of their last five.
The Suns will score a lot tonight. The question is whether the Rockets will score enough to help the total.
Anticipating the Suns to cover the large spread, it will be tough for the Rockets to score enough to push the total high enough.
Take UNDER 233.5 (-108).
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