Rockets vs Suns Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

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02 March 2024

Rockets vs Suns Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

With both teams matching up well against one another defensively, tonight's contest at the Footprint Center should be a low-scoring affair. Find out more as Kenny Ducey breaks it all down in our Rockets vs. Suns betting picks.

The Houston Rockets have fallen into a rut, losing five of their last six games, and now they’ll look for just their fifth road win of the season when they visit the dominant Phoenix Suns.

After a close defeat at home, can Houston lean on its defense to bring them close to victory in Saturday's NBA odds?

Let's get right into it with our in-depth preview and NBA picks for Rockets vs. Suns on March 2.

Rockets vs Suns odds

Rockets vs Suns predictions

The Houston Rockets boast one of the Top 10 defenses in the NBA, and in their last matchup against the Phoenix Suns at home, they put up a solid 105.8 defensive rating and held the Suns to just 35.1% shooting from outside.

Things have remained difficult for the Rockets on offense, however. Despite the return of Fred VanVleet, they’ve shot just 25% from the perimeter in their last two games. Houston's also gotten even worse at scoring within four feet, which is where the vast majority of its shots have come this season according to Cleaning the Glass.

That’s going to be an issue against a Top-10 rim defense on the other end of the floor.

When you factor in that the Rockets are a whole five points worse from 3-point range on the road this season and have been going through it of late in that regard, I think the Suns should do another bang-up job defensively here.

I expect both defenses to shine tonight and cash the Under yet again in Phoenix. The Over has hit in just two of the Rockets’ last nine and it’s just 17-22-1 when Houston enters as an underdog.

My best bet: Under 233.5 (-108 at DraftKings)

Rockets vs Suns same-game parlay

Under 232.5

Jabari Smith Jr. Over 8.5 Rebounds

Grayson Allen 10+ points

Jabari Smith Jr. has been a focal point for the Rockets lately, playing 38.8 minutes per game over the last four. In that span, he's averaged just under 16 rebounds per game.

Smith has also eclipsed this number in eight of his last 10 contests and should be a safe bet after grabbing 16 the other night against Phoenix.

I will also get a little cheeky and bet on Grayson Allen to hit 10 or more points for a sixth time in eight games. He’s been receiving a steady dose of minutes and will be up against a Rockets team that has struggled lately against perimeter shooting.

Allen managed to get nine 3-pointers up last time out, and while he hit just two, I expect 10 points out of Allen — particularly with Bradley Beal still somewhat limited due to injury.

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Rockets vs Suns spread and Over/Under analysis

There hasn’t been a ton of movement in this spread. The line opened up at Suns -9.5, and the money is firmly on Phoenix to cover. Just 29% of the tickets wagered on this market at DraftKings are on the Rockets, with an even-slimmer 15% of the handle backing Houston.

Meanwhile, the total opened at 228.5 and the market took a clear side, betting it up to its current number of 233.5. The public seems inclined to bet the Under, with 67% of tickets on the total heading that way. However, 49% of the cash is on the Over.