The Phoenix Suns have the Western Conference’s second-best record and haven’t played since Friday. The Houston Rockets have the second-worst mark in the West and are playing their second game in 24 hours. That’s the backdrop for Monday’s game at Toyota Center, in which Chris Paul and Devin Booker’s rested squad is looking to make it six straight wins.
The Suns (34-14) crushed the Thunder in their most recent outing, 140-103 (box score), while the Rockets (13-36) lost to the Pelicans on Sunday, 122-115 (recap). On paper, the matchup is tilted in Phoenix’s favor.
The Rockets won’t issue an official injury report until later Monday, since they played on Sunday. However, head coach Stephen Silas has already indicated that John Wall (left knee effusion) isn’t likely to return until at least Wednesday. Guards Eric Gordon (groin), David Nwaba (wrist), and Dante Exum (calf) remain sidelined by longer-term injuries.
Danuel House Jr. left Sunday’s game early with a sprained right ankle, which could compromise his playing status moving forward. Head coach Stephen Silas had no immediate update, postgame.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Rockets +14 (-110), Suns -14 (-110)
- Moneyline: Rockets +650/Suns -1000
- Over-under: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: Devin Booker 26.5 (-115 O, -110 U), Chris Paul 15.5 (-110 O, -125 U), DeAndre Ayton 14.5 (-120 O, -110 U), Mikal Bridges 12.5 (-110 O, -125 U), Jae Crowder 10.5 (-110 O, -120 U); Houston TBD
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, and WV at BetMGM.
Phoenix is expected to start its regular lineup of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and DeAndre Ayton. Meanwhile, with Wall and House likely sidelined, Houston could start Kevin Porter Jr., Sterling Brown, Jae’Sean Tate, Kelly Olynyk, and Christian Wood. (That’s the grouping that Silas finished Sunday’s game versus New Orleans with.)
Advice and prediction
In their last 12 games, the Rockets have only lost two by more than 14 points, which is the current spread. Of those two outliers, one was barely above that mark (a 16-point loss in Boston). In most outings, Houston has remained competitive well into the fourth quarter. It is the second night of a back-to-back, but the Rockets are 2-0 in their most recent games in that spot (March 27 at Minnesota, March 22 versus Toronto).
Phoenix is the far superior team, overall, but it shouldn’t come as a shock if the Rockets play hard and cover the large number.
Prediction: 117-108, Suns
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Danuel House Jr. left early with a sprained right ankle, which could compromise his playing status moving forward. Head coach Stephen Silas had no immediate update, postgame.
