The Phoenix Suns (13-9) face the Houston Rockets (14-5) Friday at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Suns vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Houston leads 1-0
Phoenix dominated the LA Lakers 125-108 Monday, covering as a 5.5-point road underdog with the Over (231.5) hitting. F Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points, and G Collin Gillespie added 28 points in the absence of G Devin Booker, who played just 10 minutes before leaving with a groin injury. The Suns outscored the Lakers 28-2 in fast-break points.
Houston embarrassed the Sacramento Kings 121-95 Wednesday, covering as a 15.5-point home favorite with the Under (231) cashing. C Alperen Sengun and F Kevin Durant combined for 52 points in the win. The Rockets dominated 62-32 on the glass, outscored the Kings 30-7 in fast-break points and put up 78 points in the paint.
The Rockets destroyed the Suns 114-92 Nov. 24, covering as a 6.5-point road favorite with the Under (223.5) hitting. The Rockets outscored the Suns 18-4 in fast-break points and committed 16 turnovers, compared to 21 for the Suns.
Suns at Rockets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:29 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Suns +400 (bet $100 to win $400) | Rockets -550 (bet $550 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Suns +11.5 (-115) | Rockets -11.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Suns at Rockets key injuries
Suns
G Devin Booker (groin) outG Jalen Green (hamstring) out
Rockets
F Tari Eason (oblique) outF Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) outG Fred VanVleet (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Suns at Rockets picks and predictionsPrediction
Rockets 116, Suns 103
PASS.
The Rockets are the much better team, especially with the Suns missing their best player, so they should have no problem winning as -550 favorites. However, no team favored so heavily is ever worth the risk of a straight bet, so pass and bet the spread and/or total instead.
BET ROCKETS -11.5 (-105).
With both Booker and Green out, it will be easy for the Rockets to slip into their patented zone and stifle everything Phoenix wants to do right from the start. Expect the Rockets to force turnovers, push in transition and dominate defensively to cover.
The Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 outings against the Suns.
LEAN UNDER 221.5 (-110).
Houston ranks third in defensive rating and second in scoring defense, while Phoenix sits 14th and 17th, respectively, so expect scoring to be tough for the Suns, paving the way for the Under to hit.
The Under is 6-1 in Houston’s last 7 games and 5-2 in the previous 7 matchups between these squads.
This is a lean, as the Over has hit in all of Phoenix’s last 3 games.
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