Rockets at Suns (Oct. 30): Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet

With Jalen Green struggling, Eric Gordon out, and Jabari Smith Jr. questionable, the Rockets (+12.5) are understandably big underdogs in Phoenix on Sunday night.

It’s been a tough start to Houston’s four-game road trip for young shooting guard Jalen Green, who is averaging just 14 points on 25.6% shooting (21.1% on 3-pointers) in his last two outings, both losses. Unfortunately for Green and the Rockets, now at 1-5 on the 2022-23 regular season, the assignment doesn’t get much easier with Sunday’s road matchup versus Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns (4-1).

If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research for the Rockets-Suns showdown, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at BetMGM.

The game starts at 8 p.m. Central and can be seen via AT&T SportsNet Southwest (in Houston markets) or on NBA League Pass. Considering how loaded the Suns are with proven difference makers like Booker, Chris Paul, and Mikal Bridges, any window of opportunity for the Rockets likely requires a resurgence by Green.

The injury report doesn’t help the case, either. Since Houston also plays Monday night in Los Angeles versus the Clippers, veteran guard Eric Gordon is listed as out for injury maintenance on Sunday’s game in Phoenix, as he does for half of most back-to-backs.

Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., who missed much of the preseason with a sprained left ankle, is now listed as questionable with a sprained right ankle. Because he’s listed as questionable, this sprain doesn’t appear to be as significant as the one to his other ankle, which led to him missing nearly two weeks in early October.

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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM

  • Point spread: Suns -12.5
  • Money line: Suns -900 / Rockets +600
  • Over-under: 227.5

Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.

Rockets at Suns injury report:

  • Rockets: TyTy Washington out (left knee sprain), Bruno Fernando out (left knee soreness), Eric Gordon out (right groin injury maintenance), Jabari Smith Jr. questionable (right ankle sprain)
  • Suns: Jae Crowder out (not with team), Deandre Ayton out (left ankle sprain), Ish Wainright out (low back pain).

Advice and prediction

After falling behind early, the Rockets have rallied back from early deficits during the second half of each of their first two games on this road trip (at Utah and Portland). It’s completely unrealistic to expect the struggling Rockets to win outright at Phoenix, but there are enough young legs that it shouldn’t come as a shock if they cover the large spread number by competing well into the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Suns 119, Rockets 109

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

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