Expect a low-scoring game when the Houston Rockets (25-22) and Phoenix Suns (14-33) square off at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Action begins at 9:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 4 and can be seen on RSW.
The Suns are hoping for a better outcome after their 115-93 loss to the Cavaliers in their last matchup. Devin Booker was the team’s leading scorer with 16 points. The Rockets, meanwhile, are coming off a 112-111 win against the Pelicans in their last game. James Harden claimed his 11th double-double of the season with 35 points and 11 rebounds.
Harden and Trevor Ariza have upped their production over the last five games for the Rockets. Harden has averaged 28.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 3.2 three-pointers during that stretch, while Ariza has put up 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 4.4 three-pointers.
Notes
In its last game, Houston won by a margin of one point. Phoenix is 3-4 in games decided by three points or less. Houston has a 4-2 record in close games.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Houston Rockets are a formidable 11-2. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Phoenix Suns have an abysmal record of 1-21.
The Houston Rockets have a 14-20 record when their opponents score 100 points or more. The Phoenix Suns have a 13-12 record when they reach the century mark.
The Suns have a defensive rating of 107.4 (ranked 29th), while the Rockets rank seventh for their offensive rating of 105.1.
Houston has an average field goal percentage of 44.6%. Phoenix is an underachieving 6-30 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets both rank higher in average effective field goal percentage when compared to their field goal percentages. Phoenix is 19th and 14th in the league for FG% and EFF% respectively, while Houston is 16th and seventh in these categories.
Phoenix makes an average of 20.7 assists per game (ranked 22nd). Houston ranks higher in assists with 21.6 (ranked 17th).
The Phoenix Suns average 3.9 blocks per game for a rank of 26th. The Houston Rockets rank higher (13th), earning 5.1 blocks each contest.
Phoenix is ranked 14th in offensive rebounding. Houston ranks 26th in defensive rebounds.
Houston averages 9.8 steals per game, ranking first in the league. Phoenix is an abysmal 6-19 when it gives up at least 9 steals.
