Houston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns Prediction: Feisty Rockets take on a bit wayward Suns

Sometimes a record of a team can be deceptive and a team that can be on a seven-game winning streak can go on a losing streak in a space of a week. This has been an enticing season as we have seen a bunch of rises and falls. One such fall has been taken by the Phoenix Suns lately and they will take on the Houston Rockets.

The Suns enter the game after losing to the Pelicans 124:129 in Overtime despite a 28 points performance by Deandre Ayton. They have lost four in a row and due to that, they have fallen down to 11 losses and 16 wins after having built 15 wins and six losses record. This downturn can be owed to a tough schedule but to be honest, the Suns aren’t playing their usual brand of basketball. Devin Booker who averages 27 points for the season, has scored 20 or below in each of the games during the four-game losing streak.

During this period, Deandre Ayton has been the leading scorer and even the return of Chris Paul hasn’t brought the needed uptick in the win column. Mikal Bridges brings defensive toughness but he is more effective on the offensive end in tandem with sharpshooter Cam Johnson, whose injury has caused lineup imbalances. This is the toughest phase the Suns have faced after a sizeable time so it will be riding upon Devin Booker to correct the course whose hamstring injuries have caused fluctuations.

The Rockets come into this affair after a highly impressive 97:92 win against the Bucks as Jalen Green had yet another 30 points outing. The Rockets have won five out of their last nine games and this stretch proves that they have improved a lot. Their overall record of 18 losses and eight wins prove that they have a long way to go but some of their foundational principles look promising. One of the major reasons for the recent gains has been the play of Jalen Green who is constantly getting near or reaching the 30 points mark but there is much more to this.

The Rockets have become much more effective in closing out games and their recent play indicates that they can develop into a solid clutch squad. The core of Porter Jr, Jabari Smith, Green, Sengun, and Eason has a two-way promise but they need much more depth in all regards.; The Rockets are likely heading to the lottery which means a poor record will be needed to land a higher pick but these current wins are great confidence boosters for Green and co.

• Rockets: OUT: Jae’Sean Tate;
• Suns: OUT: Duane Washington Jr, Devin Booker, Cam Johnson.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Jalen Green(26-33 Points), Deandre Ayton(25-31 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Deandre Ayton(9-12 Rebounds), Jabari Smith Jr(9-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Chris Paul(7-10 Assists), Kevin Porter Jr.(5-8 Assists).

The Suns have been playing their worst basketball this season and without Devin Booker, they will need Paul, Bridges, and Ayton to step it up. The Rockets have responded well lately and their wins have been against stacked squads. But there is a key to stop the Rockets; curb the production of Jalen Green whose hot hand has enabled the Rockets to be such a winning squad. I do feel that the Suns will recover from their rut and I predict a 120:110 win in the favor of the Suns.