The Houston Rockets (1-5) visit the Footprint Center to take on the Phoenix Suns (4-1) Sunday. Tip is set for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockets vs. Suns odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Rockets are coming into this game following a 125-111 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Houston, after beating the Jazz on Oct. 24, has lost its last 2 games.
It is led by 2nd-year G Jalen Green, who is averaging 20.7 points per game. Fellow backcourt mate G Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 20.5 per game.
The Suns will be without their star C Deandre Ayton, which means more will be put on G Devin Booker, who already is averaging a team-high 29.2 points and shooting 51.5% from the field.
Phoenix has won 3 straight games and is in the 3rd game of a 6-game homestand. It has won the first 2 games: 134-105 over the Golden State Warriors and 124-111 over the New Orleans Pelicans.
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Rockets at Suns odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:01 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockets +570 (bet $100 to win $570) | Suns -850 (bet $850 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +12.5 (-105) | Suns -12.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rockets at Suns key injuries
Rockets
- G Eric Gordon (groin) out
- F Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) questionable
Suns
- C Deandre Ayton (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Suns picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 118, Rockets 111
Moneyline
PASS.
Betting a -850 makes no sense, but the Rockets are without key pieces and shouldn’t stand much of a chance to win outright.
Against the spread
LEAN ROCKETS +12.5 (-105).
The loss of Ayton will give more minutes to C Jock Landale and C Bismack Biyombo. Both are competent, but neither provides the skill set that Ayton does. That should hurt the Suns on both sides of the court.
The Rockets struggle offensively with efficiency and defensively with size and inexperience.
However, they have lost by 12-plus points just twice this season and were able to stay within single digits against the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, 2 teams that have an 9-4 record combined.
With the Suns down a key offensive piece, the Rockets should be able to keep things within 13.
Over/Under
BET OVER 227.5 (-115).
The Rockets rank 26th in turnover rate and 5th in pace.
They’re going to want to move the ball and do so quickly. They also rank 4th in rebounding rate, and without Ayton, the Suns should lack key size in the paint. Houston struggles defensively as well.
Given how the Rockets should want this game played, expect them to push the pace. Houston is 3-3 O/U this season and was 45-36-1 O/U a season ago.
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