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Sizzling Suns host Rockets Friday
By: Freddy Wander - StatFox
Published: 1/23/2015  at  1:08:00 PM
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HOUSTON ROCKETS (29-14)

at PHOENIX SUNS (26-18)

Tip-off: Friday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Line: Phoenix -2.5, Total: 220

The Rockets attempt to rebound from losing to the Warriors in two of the past three games when they go against the streaking Suns on Friday night.

Houston has been a great team this season, except when it takes on the Warriors, which it has done in two of the past three games with both games resulting in losses by an average of 19.0 PPG. Prior to those contests, the Rockets managed to go a solid 6-3 (both SU and ATS) since the start of January and have won each of their past eight victories by double digits. On Wednesday night they had no chance against Golden State, as they were losing 102-78 entering the fourth quarter before finally falling 126-113 as 8-point underdogs. They turned the ball over 19 times, but were able to make 13-of-32 threes (41%) and got to the charity stripe 31 times, making 26 of them (84% FT). The Suns are in the midst of an eight-game homestand, and they have not disappointed through their first four games in front of their fans, going 4-0 SU (2-2 ATS) with 112.5 PPG and defeating opponents by an average of 9.5 PPG. They earned their last win against an injury laden Portland club on Wednesday night as they failed to cover the 7.5-point spread they were giving in a 118-113 barnburner. Phoenix’s trio of guards (Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas) combined for 76 points as the team shot a combined 51.1% from the floor. The Rockets have been strong on the road this season with a 13-7 SU record (10-10 ATS) in away games, but are up against a Suns team that is 13-7 SU (11-9 ATS) at Talking Stick Resort Arena (formerly US Airways Center). These two clubs have already met once this season, as Houston grabbed a 100-95 victory as a 2-point home underdog in a game where neither team shot better than 41% from the field. For the most part, these teams have played some great games over the past three seasons and the Rockets are 5-3 SU (4-4 ATS) in this series since the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign, with the winner in that time having an average margin of victory of 9.1 PPG. Some trends to watch for in this one include that Houston is 63-38 ATS (62%) in road games after allowing 110+ points since 1996, as Phoenix is 76-47 ATS (62%) in all games since the start of last year. The only injury for either team comes out of the Rockets' camp with PF Terrence Jones (leg) out indefinitely.

Can the Rockets snap out of their recent funk with a road win over the Suns? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 56% ATS record (111-88-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a stellar 68% ATS (52-25) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Scott, who is a sizzling 70% ATS (16-7) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (35-28) for the season. StatFox Brian is 63% ATS (25-15) in Best Bets since Nov. 29, and is now 57% ATS (35-27) in season Best Bets, while StatFox Gary is 69% ATS (11-5) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and 57% ATS (36-27) this season. StatFox Zach is 69% ATS (11-5) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2, while StatFox Dave is 64% ATS (9-5) since Jan. 2.

The Rockets’ offense has improved since the beginning of the season and after putting up 109.9 PPG over their past 11 contests, they are averaging 102.9 PPG (8th in league) overall on the season despite a mere 43.9% shooting (8th-worst in NBA). On the defensive end, they are allowing 99.0 PPG, as their opposition is making 44.3% of their shots (9th in league). SG James Harden (27.2 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG) has scored 39.0 PPG over his past two performances and has been creating turnovers all over the place with 2.6 SPG over his past five games. He hit a dreadful 5-of-21 shots (24% FG), including going 1-for-9 from long range, the first time these teams met this season, but managed a complete stat line with 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, two steals and six turnovers. C Dwight Howard (16.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 1.4 BPG) has double-digit boards in each of his past three games, but has not been the defensive force that he usually is with just one blocked shot in that time. He wasn’t on the court when his team faced the Suns earlier in the season, but will look to have a big game after averaging 24.7 PPG (63% FG), 13.7 RPG and 4.7 BPG in three games against them last season. SF Trevor Ariza (12.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG) has hit a cold spell over the past three games, as he nets just 7.3 PPG (33% FG) and 2.3 RPG. His efficiency wasn’t there against Phoenix earlier this season, as he was 5-for-15 from the field with 19 points and he added seven rebounds with six turnovers.

As usual, the Suns have put forth a formidable offense that is putting up 107.5 PPG (3rd in league) on a combined 46.8% shooting (6th in NBA). Unfortunately, their defense isn’t always able to keep up with the high pace, and has given up 104.8 PPG (3rd-worst in league) on 45.3% shooting. PG Eric Bledsoe (16.8 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG) is coming off a season-high, 33-point performance against the Blazers in which he also added 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. He was all over the place in the loss against Houston this season, going for 23 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals. SG Goran Dragic (17.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG) has scored more than 20 points in two of his past three games and has been extremely efficient, hitting 55% of his shots over his past five contests. Dragic wasn’t able to do much the first time these clubs met with just 13 points (5-of-14 FG) and six assists. PF Markieff Morris (15.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG) has contributed little over the past three games (11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG) and did poorly against Houston in the first matchup, fouling out after 31 minutes with four points on 2-of-14 shooting.


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