ClutchPoints is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way connected to any sportsbook. Gambling is not offered on this website in any form.

It’s time for another prediction and pick inside the NBA as we take a look at the conclusion of this Western Conference rivalry series. The Houston Rockets (49-29) will take on the Phoenix Suns (43-35), Houston leading the season series 3-0. Check our NBA odds series for the Rockets-Suns prediction and pick.

The Houston Rockets are currently third in the Western standings following their most recent 117-116 win over the Golden State Warriors. Winning their last six games, the Rockets stand to finish as high as third in the conference if they can win-out and see losses from the Lakers and Nuggets ahead of them.

The Phoenix Suns are seventh in the Western Conference after most recently beating the Chicago Bulls 120-110. Posting a 4-6 record over their last 10 games, they’re likely holding position and looking forward to a likely play-in matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.

NBA odds courtesy of DraftKings

Rockets vs. Suns Odds

Houston Rockets: -1.5 (-108)

Phoenix Suns: +1.5 (-112)

Over: 219.5 (-110)

Under: 219.5 (-110)

Rockets vs. Suns Key Injuries 

Houston: Steven Adams (ankle – OUT) / Fed VanVleet (knee – OUT)

Phoenix: Haywood Highsmith (knee – OUT)

Rockets vs. Suns Betting Trends
The Phoenix Suns are 24-15 at home this season. The Houston Rockets have gone 21-19 on the road.
The Rockets are 45-23 as betting favorites. The Suns are 15-26 as underdogs.
The Suns are 46-32 ATS overall, 23-16 ATS at home. The Rockets are 33-45 ATS overall, 18-22 ATS on the road.
The Rockets are 8-2 outright, 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against the Suns.
The Rockets are 4-10 ATS over their last 14 games.
The Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
The total has gone OVER in five of Houston’s last six games.
The total has gone OVER in five of the Suns’ last six games.
Keys to Rockets vs. Suns Matchup

The Houston Rockets have been perfect throughout this season series, notching all but their most recent meeting by double-digits both on the road an at home. The Suns put forth a much more competitive effort during their last 100-97 loss as it took a clutch three from Kevin Durant to seal the deal for the Rockets. Still, more cause for concern has been the Suns’ inability to surpass 100 points in three games against this Houston defense, so we’ll see if they can put forth a cleaner effort here at home.

While the Suns have been sliding towards the finish line and accepting the fate of the play-in tournament, the Rockets seem to be hitting peak playoff form with their recent winning streak. Durant has served as their leading scorer in four of their last six wins while Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard are chiming in with some of their best basketball of the season. With the way they’re rolling at the moment, it doesn’t seem likely that the Suns will be stealing their first win over the Rockets in this one.

With Suns’ Dillon Brooks returning from recent injury, his team should be able to return to their earlier form as they’ve gone a lackluster 12-13 in games without him this season. While both Devin Booker and Jalen Green have been able to carry the scoring load, the Suns are a much better squads defensively when Brooks is on the floor. They also average the fourth-most FG attempts per game (90.3), so Brooks’ availability should help in their shot selection and making baskets on open looks.

Still, the Rockets rank as the NBA’s sixth-best team in net defensive rating (112.2) and they’re the league’s leading team in rebounds per game (47.9). Unless the Phoenix Suns can find their stroke from three early, it’ll only be a matter of time before the Rockets settle into their defense while Kevin Durant consistently scores on the other end of the floor.

Rockets vs. Suns Prediction and Pick

This should be another motivated homecoming for Kevin Durant as he faces his former Suns’ squad, but the Rockets have been dominant throughout this series particularly on the defensive end of the floor. Expect much of the same as Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. will have ample mismatches to work against in the post.

Coupled with Kevin Durant’s scoring efforts and the spark Reed Sheppard provides off the bench and I don’t see a scenario where the Suns break this spell against the Rockets. With a near-even betting spread, the Houston Rockets are the clear pick to win here as recent trends suggest both teams could be in for a high-scoring game that sees the total hit over.

Final Rockets-Suns Prediction & Pick: Houston Rockets -1.5 (-108); OVER 219.5 (-110)

It’s time for another prediction and pick inside the NBA as we take a look at the conclusion of this Western Conference rivalry series. The Houston Rockets (49-29) will take on the Phoenix Suns (43-35), Houston leading the season series 3-0. Check our NBA odds series for the Rockets-Suns prediction and pick.