Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 3/15/2019

Friday, March 15, 2019

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Phoenix Suns travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Friday, March 15, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 13.5 point favorites.

The Suns have a record of 16-53. They are 5th in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of -9.1 as they average 106.8 points per game while giving up 115.9 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 42-26. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They total 112.9 points per contest and give up 110.1, which is a point differential of 2.7.

Valuable Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 31-38-0 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 30-39-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 31-35-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 35-32-0 against the over/under

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

01/24/19 SF TJ Warren Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Deandre Ayton comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 31.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 10.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 58% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 76%. Devin Booker averages 25.1 points per game in 35.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.7 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 36.0 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.5 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Chris Paul averages 15.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 8.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix averages 106.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 40.2 rebounds per game and 23.9 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 15.6 per game. The Suns allow 115.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 28th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.7 rebounds a game which ranks 26th 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 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 12th in the league with 112.9 points per game this year. They are 26th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 2.7. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 41.6 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 20.9. The Rockets are 23rd in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Rockets surrender 110.1 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 26th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 44.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Suns are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.4, and their defensive rating of 114.3 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Phoenix is 2nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 11th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 112, and their offensive rating of 114.8 is ranked 22nd. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -13.5

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