NBA Handicapping Predictions – Suns vs Rockets
The Rockets have lost 2 straight home games and they could really use a win tonight facing the Suns, as they are tied with the Nuggets for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference and they only lead the Jazz by 1.5 games and the Suns by 2 games.
Venue/ Stadium: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Friday, April 13, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Rockets -4
Over/Under: 199.5
Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Both teams are coming off a loss and are 6-4 in their last 10 games. NBA lines have the Rockets as 4-point home favorites with a total of 199.5.
In their last games the Suns lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 104-93 and the Rockets lost to the Utah Jazz 103-91.
This season the Suns are 31-27 ATS with an O/U record of 22-36 and the Rockets are 31-27 ATS with an O/U record of 26-32.
This season the Rockets are a solid 20-9 at home and the Suns are 13-17 on the road.
Houston has won 2 of 3 games facing Phoenix this season, but the Suns won the most recent game.
The Rockets have become a much better rebounding team since they traded for Marcus Camby and he and Luis Scola are a solid duo on the glass. Suns leading scorer and rebounder Marcin Gortat will need help on the boards from his teammates.
The Rockets have 3 guards that are averaging in double figures in Kyle Lowry, Courtney Lee, and Goran Dragic and it would be 4, but leading scorer Kevin Martin is out with a shoulder injury. The Suns have to play good perimeter D tonight and not allow these guys to have open looks from deep. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Steve Nash does not look like a 38-year old point guard and he is averaging 12.8 ppg and 11.1 assists per game. The Rockets must keep him from getting in the lane and dishing out the rock.
Shannon Brown is a key tonight and since he became a starter with Grant Hill’s injury averaging around 17 ppg. He and a rejuvenated Michael Redd have been scoring well and will need to do so again tonight.
In some betting trends for this Western Conference match up the Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall, 7-0 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game, and they have an Under record of 5-2 in their last 7 games.
The Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 10-3 ATS in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and they have an Over record of 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Bus Man’s Pick: I think the Suns will play well tonight and while they have not been a great road team this season and they may not win they will make this a close contest and cover the spread.
