Phoenix Suns vs Houston Rockets: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Angelia Ronayne

The Phoenix Suns take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday for the third time in the space of a week as they try and maintain their seeding in a congested Western Conference.

Ime Udoka’s Rockets team are currently 12th in the Western Conference, despite a surprisingly strong start. With a record of 25-34 they are unlikely to make it in to the top ten, which would mark a fourth consecutive season without making the playoffs. The Rockets were defeated in Thursday’s rematch against the Suns so will be hoping to tie the season series at 2-2, in the final game between the pair.

In contrast, the Suns have endured a tumultuous season, one dominated by injury and inconsistency. Their record of 35-24 leaves them fifth in the conference as they battle it out with at least six other teams to avoid the play-in tournament.

How to Watch Phoenix Suns vs Houston Rockets in the UK:

The match is not being shown live in the UK. Highlights of the game will be available on the NBA YouTube channel. Tip-off is at 2am on Sunday morning.

Recent Form:

Thursday night saw these two sides take each other on at the Footprint Center in Phoenix in which the Suns won 110-105. Devin Booker scored 35 points for the hosts, whilst Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets with 34. The first meeting last week in Houston ended in a 114-110 Rockets victory.

Phoenix Suns:

The Phoenix Suns are 7-3 in their last ten games. Before the all-star break they had won seven of nine, and were one of the hottest teams in the league. They returned from the break with two losses against the Dallas Mavericks and Rockets, but have recovered well to win two in a row, and hope to extend that to three on Saturday night. They were missing two of their starting five in Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic in the defeat at the Rockets, but Nurkic returned from an ankle sprain to help defeat the LA Lakers on Sunday, and Beal is yet to return.

This season, Booker has averaged 27.6 points, 6.9 assists (career-high) and 4.6 rebounds. Durant is fifth in the league for scoring, averaging 27.9 points per game. Grayson Allen leads the league in three-point shooting which makes them even harder to defend.

At home they are 20-11, and are in the midst of a nine-game winning streak at the Footprint Center. When all three of Booker, Beal and Durant are on the court, they have a 14-8 record, and offensively they have looked like the team many envisioned them to be. Frank Vogel will hope his side can stay healthy the rest of the way as they navigate the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA.

Houston Rockets:

The Houston Rockets are 2-8 in their last 10 games. Despite beating the Suns last week, the Rockets have struggled for wins of late. They played two games against the second seed Oklahoma City Thunder and lost both by a combined 30 points before their most recent loss to the Suns. Prior to the all-star break they had lost four of five. They also have the second worst road record in the league, winning just five and losing 24. Only the Detroit Pistons have lost more.

Udoka’s team is very young and are perhaps where they are expected to be. However, they are led by veteran guard Fred VanVleet, who they acquired in the off-season through free agency. So far this season he has averaged 16.4 points per game with 7.9 assists. Alongside him, he has young guard Jalen Green who is averaging 17.9, and big man Alperen Sengun who is producing 20.8 points and 9.1 rebounds in his third season.

Team News:

Beal, Eric Gordon and Nassir Little did not play for the Suns on Thursday, casting doubt over their availability for this match. Guard Damion Lee remains sidelined with a knee injury which has kept him out all season.

Tari Eason is out for the Rockets as he still has no clear return timetable from a lower leg injury. Recently acquired center Steven Adams is out for the season.

Betting Odds:

The Suns enter the match as overwhelming favourites, coming in at 2/9 with UniBET with an implied probability of a whopping 81.82%.

Houston meanwhile come in at 18/5 with William Hill, carrying an implied probability of 21.74%.

Prediction:

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were not at their best in the last week’s matchup between the two sides, but enjoyed much more success in Thursday’s game, combining for 59 points. The Rockets ultimately kept it close as both teams struggled from the field, but expect the Suns’ offense to be much improved this weekend. They will hope to have Beal back, but should take the victory even in his absence.