Game Preview: Rockets visit West-leading Suns, matchups, game time, odds

Houston Rockets are 5-16 and last in the West. Phoenix Suns are 15-6 and first in West standings.

The Suns are favored by 11.5 points. The Suns have won 9 straight games against the Rockets. Suns beat Rockets this year by 15 points, 124-109. Rockets and Suns switched places in the West standings. Deandre Ayton won Player of the Week, Chris Booker won player of month, and Monty Williams won coach of months.

Chris Paul, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder are injured for Suns. JaeSean Tate is injured and out for Rockets.

Chris Paul, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder are out for Suns. JaeSean Tate is out injured for Rockets.

Houston Rockets have the worst record in the West. They have one of the lowest net ratings in NBA. Their best players are Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Eric Gordon. Phoenix Suns have had rumored interest in both Gordon and Martin. The Suns almost pulled off a trade a couple weeks ago that would have netted Gordon in exchange for Jae Crowder and someone else. However, the deal fell through. Rockets are still looking for a first round pick in return for Gordon, who is making 36% of his threes this year.

Suns are second in the West, while Rockets are fifth in their division. Suns have two games against the bottom of the Western Conference, against Houston and the Spurs. They have a tough four-game stretch, starting with a home game against Mavericks, then a back-to-back against Celtics and Pelicans. Chris Paul is out for the game with Houston, and Cameron Johnson won't be back for at least another month.

Rockets visit the Suns. It's a trap game for the Rockets. Suns are the West-leading team.