Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns - 12/21/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Houston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019

Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ

TV: Fox Sports Arizona

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 226

Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets (19-9, 1st in the Southwest Division) are headed to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Saturday where they'll take on the Phoenix Suns (11-16, 4th in the Pacific Division). The odds on this matchup have Houston as 4.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 226.

The Rockets cover 46.4% of the time, having gone 13-15-0 ATS. Phoenix is covering 57.7% of the time, going 15-11-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/16/2019 Nene C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/13/2019 Eric Gordon SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 3
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/19/2019 Deandre Ayton C Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 21
12/18/2019 Tyler Johnson SG Illness Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Devin Booker SG Forearm Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Cameron Johnson SF Hip Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 23.5 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 78%. James Harden averages 38.5 points per game in 37.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.5 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Kelly Oubre averages 17.7 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.0 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Devin Booker averages 25.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 6.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 119.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 23rd in the league. They average 47.9 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 13th with 15.4 per game. The Rockets allow 114.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 20th and they give up 26.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 6th in the league with 114.7 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 0.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 43.4 boards per game, and 1st in assists per contest with 28.6. The Suns are 23rd in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Suns surrender 114.4 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 24th and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 24.0 assists allowed per contest and 22nd with 46.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 17.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.4, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 22nd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 9th in the NBA. The Suns are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 109.7, and their offensive rating of 110 is ranked 18th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 13th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Phoenix +4.5

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