Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns Betting Prediction 12/21/19

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The Phoenix Suns (11-17) and the Houston Rockets (19-9) go head-to-head at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns will attempt to put an end to their five-game losing streak. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, 2019, and can be seen on NBATV.

Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns ATS Odds

The Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game, 122-117, despite being 5-point underdogs. The Suns, meanwhile, were blown out by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 126-108, and failed to cover as 12.5-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Houston game went 2.5 points over the projected point total of 236.5, while the Phoenix game finished 6 points over the projected point total of 228.

Houston dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.256 (above their season average of 0.238) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.4 (below their season average of 24.5). For those same stats, Los Angeles was 0.174 and 17.5, respectively. Phoenix, on the other hand, did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (21-23; 91.3 percent). Phoenix rallied around Ricky Rubio, who put up 24 points and eight assists. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook had a good outing for Houston, finishing with 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

In their first matchup this year, Westbrook led the Rockets to a 115-109 victory. He notched a triple-double with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. The two teams combined to put up 224 points, which was well under the projected point total of 240, and Houston was unable to cover as a 12-point favorite. Houston did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (22-30; 73.3 percent). Phoenix, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (24.1 vs. 20.8).

Of the Rockets’ 28 games, 16 have gone under the total. Houston comes into the contest with records of 19-9 straight up (SU) and 14-14 against the spread (ATS).

Unlike Houston, games featuring the Suns tend to go over the O/U total (55.6 percent). Phoenix has a respectable record ATS (15-11-1), despite being 11-17 SU.

The physical Houston offense could be living from the charity stripe in this contest. The Rockets currently rank second in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.239, while Phoenix ranks 26th in FTA rate allowed (0.231).

Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns Betting Pick

Free Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Rockets average 8.5 steals per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Suns rank 15th in steals allowed per game (8.0).
  • Phoenix averages 28.5 assists per game, which ranks first in the league. Houston ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (26.0).
  • The Rockets rank fifth in second chance points per game (14.7) while the Suns rank 26th (12.0).
  • Houston ranks fifth in rebounds per game (47.9) while Phoenix ranks 25th (43.2).
  • Houston ranks 11th in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while Phoenix ranks 26th (5.9).
  • The Suns rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (31.5) while the Rockets rank 27th (36.7).
  • The Suns average 14.1 fast break points per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Rockets rank last in fast break points allowed per game (16.1).
  • Phoenix ranks ninth in points in the paint per game (48.1) while Houston ranks 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.4).
  • Phoenix ranks third in points off turnovers per game (19.7) while Houston ranks 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.2).
  • Phoenix is 2-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Houston is 2-0.
  • In games where they score over 100 points, the Suns are 11-14 and the Rockets are 19-8.
  • Phoenix is 8-7-1 ATS at home, while Houston is 8-6 ATS on the road.
  • Of the Rockets’ 14 road games, they have 9 unders and 5 overs.
  • The Suns have 11 overs and 5 unders in 16 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Houston and Phoenix have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Suns are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 2-3.
  • The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.8, up from 0.3 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 116.8 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.2 points per game (3.2 below their season average).