NBA ATS Picks - Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns Game Preview

The Houston Rockets already have the best record in the Western Conference, and now they are poised for the return of one of their best players. Star point guard Chris Paul was one of the biggest acquisitions this offseason but has only played one game for Houston because of an injured knee. He is on his way back and could return on Thursday in a regular season matchup against the Phoenix Suns.

The Rockets are on the road for this game but it would be a good one for Paul to return as the Suns wouldn’t offer much resistance. Houston should be able to go on the road in this one and emerge victorious, even if Paul isn’t able to suit it up quite yet. Young teams like Phoenix are always better at home but capturing this contest could be too much to ask.

This war on the floor will go down Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game will be televised live on TNT.

We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.

Odds Analysis

There is no spread listed quite yet but the Rockets will certainly be the road favorite. Houston was won six in a row and boast an overall record of 12-3. The Suns are several games under .500 as their rebuilding project continues. This team can be competitive in spurts and has been better since interim coach Jay Triano took over, but is still too inconsistent to believe in for this matchup.

Key Stat

116.2. That’s the number of points per game the Suns are giving up on average this season, which is by far the worst mark in the NBA. Phoenix plays a fast pace but hasn’t shown the ability to slow down the opponent when it needs to most.

That is music to the ears of a Rockets team which loves to run a high-tempo offense with coach Mike D’Antoni at the helm. James Harden is the engine, as he is averaging 30.2 points, 10.2 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.

With Paul out, others have stepped up. Eric Gordon is having a great year, scoring 22.9 points per game while shooting 35.9 percent from three-point range on more than 11 attempts per game. The Rockets figure to get fat in this game, getting a ton of open looks as their ball movement is going to make it tough on the Suns’ young defenders.

Player To Watch

Devin Booker -- The Suns’ best chance at hanging around will be to get a big game from their star shooting guard. Booker is still young but has shown his ability to score in bunches, never more obvious than when he went off for a ridiculous 70 points last season against the Celtics.

Booker is averaging 22.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game this season. He is shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three-point range, which are respectable numbers considering he has to create a lot of the offense on his own.

The Rockets will undoubtedly aim to slow down Booker but he should get his points in this one.

Free NBA ATS Picks

The Suns have been good at home at times this season but will need one of their best efforts of the season to hang with the Rockets. It won’t be easy, as Harden is a master at both scoring and facilitating. If Paul can come back for this one it is just another weapon for Houston to use.

Either way, look for the Rockets to emerge victorious in a shootout. Watch the spread, because the Suns may be able to keep this one close enough to get a cover. The scoring total should be extremely high since both teams will run a lot and the defense may not be very good.

NBA Odds: Rockets 124, Suns 114

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