The Phoenix Suns (36-33) travel to Houston to take on the Rockets (46-22) in what should be a fast-paced game. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 21 and can be seen on FSN-AZ and ROOT-SW.
The Rockets played well in their last game, topping the Nuggets 118-108 on Thursday. James Harden was a key piece, recording his 18th double-double of the season with 50 points and 10 rebounds. The Suns, meanwhile, are coming off a 74-72 win against the Pelicans on Thursday. Brandan Wright played well for Phoenix, registering 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven blocks.
There could be a fair amount of transition offense in a game that features two of the league’s more up-tempo teams. Houston is ranked third in the NBA in possessions per game (100.0), while Phoenix is second (100.4).
The Rockets have emerged victorious in all three games against the Suns this year, including a 127-118 win the last time these two teams met. Harden finished with 40 points and 12 rebounds.
The odds for Houston and Phoenix are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Rockets have gone 46-22 Straight Up (SU) and 40-28 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). The Rockets lead the NBA in three-point field goals, making 781 from beyond the arc (11.5 per game). Expect to see a lot of second-chance opportunities for Houston in this matchup, which is one of the top rebounding teams in the league with an average of 12.0 offensive boards per game. Houston’s three-point defense can be considered for best in the league. The Rockets allow an NBA-best .314 opponent three-point field goal percentage. Houston’s defenders rank third in the NBA in steals with 9.5 per game. Houston is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 19.1 points per game.
In the other locker room, the Suns have a record of 35-31-3 ATS and 36-33 SU. Against the Western Conference, Phoenix is 18-22 SU and 16-21-3 ATS. Offensively, they average 104.1 points per game, which is good for fifth in the league. The Suns average 103.8 points allowed per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 95.7 points per game during that span. Phoenix is the fifth-best team in the league at scoring points off turnovers with 18.1 per game.
The Rockets’ win over Phoenix in their last game bumped their SU record to 7-3 over the Suns in the last 10 meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Rockets also have the advantage ATS. Houston held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice in the last 10 matchups. On the other side of the court, Phoenix never accomplished this feat in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, ATS Winner – HOU
Notes
On average, Phoenix scores 104.1 points per game (ranked fifth). Houston ranks 16th in points allowed per game with 100.0.
Houston has allowed an average of 96.3 points per home game this season. Phoenix averages 104.1 points per away game, placing the team fifth in scoring.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Houston Rockets are a formidable 31-3. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Phoenix Suns have an abysmal record of 5-18.
When the Houston Rockets allow at least 100 points they are 15-19, while the Phoenix Suns are 31-15 when they register triple digits.
The Suns have a defensive rating of 103.4 (ranked 18th). The Rockets rank 13th for their offensive rating of 103.3.
Phoenix beats Houston in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Suns average 100.4 possessions and 1.037 points per possession, while the Rockets average 100.0 possessions with 1.033 points per possession.
The Houston Rockets have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking seventh in the league with an EFF% of 50.7%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Phoenix Suns have a subpar 10-17 record.
Houston averages 33.4 three point attempts per game, and Phoenix attempts 25.9 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Rockets have a solid 46-21 record while the Suns have a 20-25 record.
Houston has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.38 this season (ranked 28th). Phoenix ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.40 (ranked 27th).
The Rockets rank 15th in rebounds per game with 43.8, while the Suns rank 17th with 43.4 per game.
Houston is ranked 21st in defensive rebounds, while Phoenix ranks 13th in offensive rebounds.
On average, the Suns force a turnover rate of 15.1%, ranked 10th in the NBA. When the Rockets turn over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 25-13 record.
