On Thursday evening, the Houston Rockets (1-6) will travel to the Footprint Center to take on the Phoenix Suns (3-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Rockets are coming off an impressive road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers highlighted by another strong performance from rookie SF Jalen Green. C Christian Wood has been the team’s strength, averaging over 20 points per game.
While the Rockets aren’t expected to make much noise this season, they do have a roster that should contend with the top of the West on a nightly basis. The opposite can be said of the Suns who have high expectations set on them.
Led by future Hall of Famer PG Chris Paul and superstar SG Devin Booker, the Suns have struggled out the gate, potentially some hangover from making the NBA Finals.
Phoenix is coming off a big come-from-behind victory over the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans. They’ll enter this game as heavy favorites.
Rockets at Suns odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +470 (bet $100 to win $470) | Suns -700 (bet $700 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +10.5 (-108) | Suns -10.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rockets at Suns key injuries
Rockets
- SG Eric Gordon (illness) probable
- C Daniel Theis (toe) questionable
- SF Danuel House (ankle) questionable
Suns
- C Deandre Ayton (leg contusion) questionable
- PG Cameron Payne (hamstring) doubtful
- PF Dario Saric (ACL) out
Rockets at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 112, Rockets 101
Money line
PASS on all aspects of this money line. With Ayton potentially out, Wood may see some added touches.
At +470, the upside that Houston plays with makes it a viable option, but I’d still rather not play that side as I’m drastically lower on the Lakers than the public, and I don’t think their two-point loss says that much.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the SUNS -10.5 (-112) as the Rockets have five double-figure losses so far this season.
Ayton should be back as the Suns need to start stringing wins together. They’ve been underwhelming to start the season, but the infrastructure is still there. That said, this is a bad matchup for the Rockets.
They’re great, top six in opponent’s three-point percentage, at defending the three, but they rank in the bottom half of the league in opponent’s overall field goal percentage.
With the Suns composed and one of the best two-point shooting teams in the NBA, I expect them to have their way with Houston.
The experience factor should also loom large as the Rockets have relied on big-time performances from Green to help out Gordon and Wood this season.
If that doesn’t happen against a side with talented defenders like SF Jae Crowder and SF Mikal Bridges, then it could be a long night for the Rockets.
While I do like this Rockets team, the Suns should get a big-time home win as they’ve dropped five of their six by double figures. The Suns are more like the Jazz that took down Houston by 31 than the Lakers.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 217.5 (-105) as Houston has scored fewer than 100 points in three games this season. On top of that, they are a solid defensive side, ranking 12th in the league in defensive rating.
With both teams not in the top half of the league in scoring, I expect a game that could be high-paced but should be sloppy, much like the Suns’ last outing with New Orleans. The Rockets rank dead last in turnover rate, so the Suns’ defense should be able to drastically limit them.
Given that note and that the Suns rank in the bottom five in three-pointers attempted per game, I expect a low-scoring affair.
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