Tonight, the Phoenix Suns (13-9) face the Houston Rockets (14-5) at the Toyota Center. The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Phoenix is coming off a 125-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, but is just 2-3 in its last five. The Suns are trying to even the season series after a 114-92 loss to Houston on November 24, while the Rockets have won four of their past five.
Below, we’ll break down our Suns vs. Rockets prediction and player picks for tonight’s matchup, including top NBA picks on PrizePicks' real-money NBA game for Houston F Kevin Durant and C Alperen Sengun.
Suns vs. Rockets Prediction, Preview
Here’s how the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets stack up heading into tonight’s matchup.
Suns Preview
- The Suns aim to stay above .500 on the road against the third-seeded Rockets, but they will be without star G Devin Booker, who suffered a right groin strain and is expected to miss at least a week.
- Phoenix enters on a positive note after a 125-108 win over the Lakers without Booker, but its 113.2 defensive rating leaves them vulnerable against Houston’s fourth-ranked offense (121.7 points per game) and elite +11.7 net rating.
- The Suns are 5-5 on the road this season and sit seventh in the West at 13-9.
Rockets Preview
- The Rockets have real momentum, going 8-2 over their last 10 games.
- Houston handled Phoenix 114-92 in the first meeting this season on November. 24, giving the Rockets an early edge in the season series
- Without PG Fred VanVleet, F Dorian Finney-Smith and F Tari Eason, the Rockets' rotation is mighty thin.
- Alperen Sengun is putting up 23.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. Houston also ranks fourth in defensive efficiency with a 110.3 defensive rating.
Suns vs. Rockets Spread, Total for Friday, Dec. 5
The Suns enter this matchup as 11.5-point road underdogs, returning a 4.54x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Rockets are home favorites with a 1.16x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Houston Rockets -11.5
- Total: 223.5
- Game Winner Payout: Suns 4.54x | Rockets 1.16x
Suns vs. Rockets Picks for PrizePicks Tonight
Here are the top Suns vs. Rockets picks for Friday’s matchup on PrizePicks. Use PrizePicks' real-money NBA game and win real money if your picks are right.
Rockets F Kevin Durant vs. Suns Projection: 24.5 Points
- Durant is averaging 25.0 PPG in his first season with the Rockets and has exceeded 24.5 points in 10 of his games.
- In his last five games, KD is averaging 27.8 points on 53.3% shooting from the field and 88.6% from the line.
- The Suns have posted a dismal 118.8 defensive rating on the road this season (18th in NBA).
- The 18-year veteran has historically dominated against the Suns, averaging 27.1 PPG in 42 career matchups versus Phoenix.
- Houston is second in the NBA with an offensive rating of 123.6 and averages 121.7 PPG, creating a high-volume offensive system where Durant's 26.7% usage rate all but ensures he remains the primary scoring option in an explosive attack.
Suns SG Dillon Brooks vs. Rockets Projection: 21.5 Points
- Suns SG Dillon Brooks is on a scoring tear, averaging 23.1 points over his last 10 games and clearing 21.5 points in eight of those, including a 33-point night against the Lakers
- The Suns guard is taking 19.1 FGA per game during this stretch with a 49.7% shooting percentage.
- Dillon the Villain's’ 84.6% shooting at the line and 32.4% from distance give him multiple paths to clear this scoring line.
- In his November 24th matchup versus Houston, Brooks torched his former team for 29 points on 50% shooting.
Rockets C Alperen Sengun vs. Suns Projection: 38.5 PRA
- Sengun is averaging 39.3 PRA this season and has gone over 38.5 in 10 of 19 games (52.6%). He posted 41 PRA (28 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists) in his most recent outing against Sacramento on Wednesday.
- The Suns are allowing opposing centers to average 40 PRA, making this a plus-matchup for Houston’s All-Star big man.
- The fifth-year center has topped 40 PRA in five of his last 11 games, including 53 PRA in a rout of Utah on Monday.
- Houston’s home-court advantage also works in Sengun’s favor — he is averaging 37.8 PRA at the Toyota Center.
Make Suns vs. Rockets Picks on PrizePicks
The Suns vs. Rockets showdown offers plenty of options to make your NBA picks on PrizePicks. Just predict More or Less on NBA player projections and win real money if your picks are right
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