The Houston Rockets will face off against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Rockets-Suns prediction and pick.
The Rockets have opened the season the way everyone expected them to. Through seven games they own a 1-6 record, with their only win coming against the similarly talented Oklahoma City Thunder. It's going to be a long season for Houston, but matchups like this one against the Suns are a great opportunity to get their young talent some quality minutes. Phoenix hasn't quite lived up to expectations this season, as they're only 3-3 on the year. The Suns obviously have plenty of time to turn things around, and that should start against the Rockets in this one.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the Rockets-Suns odds.
NBA Odds: Rockets-Suns Odds
Houston Rockets: +10.5 (-110)
Phoenix Suns: -10.5 (-110)
Over: 217.5 (-108)
Under: 217.5 (-114)
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Why The Rockets Can Cover The Spread
Despite their lack of actual wins, the Rockets have been great against the spread. They own a 4-3 record overall ATS, but that improves to 3-1 when they're on the road like they are in this one. Meanwhile, Phoenix has been one of the worst teams in the NBA when it comes to covering. The Suns are a disappointing 2-4 against the spread on the year, and their record when attempting to cover at home is a terrible 1-3. It certainly looks like the bookmakers are giving the Suns far too much credit in this matchup.
Part of Phoenix's rough start to the season has been on the defense. The Suns have only held one opponent under the triple-digit marker all season long while allowing huge scoring days to the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets. This defense isn't a good one, and now they face a Houston offense that has been surprisingly solid. Houston posted 117 points against the Los Angeles Lakers their last time out and have also notched solid offensive showings against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks. The Rockets should be able to score with relative ease in this one.
Why The Suns Can Cover The Spread
The disparity in talent between these two teams is obvious. The Rockets are in the process of a complete rebuild of their roster, and the Suns just made an appearance in the NBA Finals. Houston doesn't have the playmakers to hang around with Phoenix, and it should show here. The Rockets have been especially prone to giving up big nights to stars, as they gave up a whopping 84 combined points to LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook of the Lakers. Mavericks star Luka Doncic nearly dropped a massive triple-double on Houston earlier in the season as well. It's clear that the Rockets don't have what it takes defensively to stop big-name players, so expect Devin Booker and Chris Paul to combine for a monster outing here.
While the Rockets have been solid on offense, the same can't be said about their defense. Houston has only held their opponent under 100 points twice this season, with one of those games coming against a rebuilding Thunder team. Phoenix has been an above-average offensive team this season behind the masterful playmaking abilities of Chris Paul, and there's no reason at all to think that Houston can slow them down here.
Final Rockets-Suns Prediction & Pick
This game should be a high-paced contest that features plenty of scoring. For that reason, the over is the best pick on the board. Taking the Rockets to cover is another decent option.
Final Rockets-Suns Predicition & Pick: Over: 217.5 (-108)
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