Sports Articles
Johnson

The Suns will Shoot Down the Rockets

Home → Sports Articles → The Suns will Shoot Down the Rockets

Abstract

Things don’t look good for the Rockets tonight. The last time the Phoenix Suns lost a game, they responded with eight straight wins and they are coming off their first loss in 3 weeks.

Monday Night’s Recap
Pick – Dolphins +16 at Steelers
Result – Win
Amount - 50 units
Season Bankroll - +$550

Today’s Pick
Suns –5 vs. Rockets

Things don’t look good for the Rockets tonight. The last time the Phoenix Suns lost a game, they responded with eight straight wins and they are coming off their first loss in 3 weeks. The Suns (11-3) lead the NBA with 108.9 points per game, but finally ran into a team that could keep pace with their high-octane offense - the Golden State Warriors, the leagues second-highest scorers. Phoenix allowed Golden State to score 45 points in the first quarter Monday and the race was on. The Warriors led by eight after the first and upped their lead each quarter on their way to a 129-114 win.

Phoenix outrebounded Golden State 48-39, but was done in by 20 turnovers -- six more than its average -- which led to 37 points for the Warriors. Steve Nash, who averages a team-leading 19.2 points and a league-best 11.0 assists, had 23 points and 13 assists but committed a season-worst eight turnovers. Phoenix had a season-high 25 turnovers in its only meeting with Houston, but the Rockets turned them into only 23 points in a 115-105 home loss on Nov. 17.

However, Houston leading scorer Tracy McGrady missed that game with a sprained right elbow. Hes returned to the lineup for the past four games and has looked to be back at full strength in the last two. McGrady helped the Rockets (8-7) end a six-game losing streak with 35 points in a 109-81 victory over Denver on Saturday, then scored 36 in an 88-71 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

McGrady had 19 points Monday in the fourth quarter, which Houston opened with a 22-5 run to take control. This is just a two-man team. Aside from McGradys 26.6 points per game and center Yao Mings 21.9 average, the Rockets don have any other players with double-figure scoring averages. The Suns have six, including five who average at least 15.4 points.

The Rockets are allowing a conference-low 91.9 points per game this season, but have given up at least 100 in eight straight meetings with Phoenix and have lost seven of them.

That won’t help them tonight. The Suns are too good. Take the Suns.

Until next time, may all your bets be winners.

by Johnson