Rockets at Suns, March 2: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet
For what is effectively the rubber match of a three-game series between the teams over a nine-day span, the Houston Rockets will again face the Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Saturday night.
The Rockets (25-34) won last Friday’s game in Houston, while the Suns (35-24) won Thursday’s rematch in Phoenix.
If you’d like last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We have the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet.
Saturday’s game starts at 8 p.m. Central and can be seen regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass. Saturday’s game, also at Footprint Center, has the same tipoff time.
Here’s a look at Saturday’s lines:
- Point spread: Suns -9.5
- Money line: Suns -500 / Rockets +360
- Over/Under: 232.5
Rockets at Suns injury report:
Houston’s injury report lists Steven Adams (right knee PCL surgery) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out, while Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. remain in the G League.
Phoenix is listing Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) as out for Saturday, while Nassir Little (left knee inflammation) is doubtful.
Eric Gordon (left groin surgery) is questionable to play, while Bradley Beal (left hamstring injury management) is probable to return.
Advice and prediction
The location of Saturday’s game could be bad news for the Rockets, who are a woeful 5-24 away from Houston this season. A lofty 20-10 home mark has kept the overall record fairly respectable.
For the reeling Rockets, whose odds of a Western Conference play-in tournament berth continue to tumble amid those road woes, the biggest problem in their latest loss was finding offense outside of Jalen Green. While the third-year guard had a team-high 34 points and a season-high seven made 3-pointers, Houston collectively shot just 33-of-99 overall and 11-of-45 from 3-point range (24.4%).
In particular, talented big man Alperen Sengun struggled with efficiency and foul trouble against Jusuf Nurkic before being ejected, and he’s certainly looking to get back on track in Saturday’s rematch.
For betting purposes, Houston’s defense has improved of late, and they covered Thursday’s spread despite Sengun playing unusually poorly. That could make the Rockets a tempting underdog.
Prediction: Suns 118, Rockets 110
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
