Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets game preview, Digi Mart USA News (Phoenix, Arizona): The Houston Rockets visit Phoenix on Saturday night for the first of two meetings this season, with the second scheduled for early February. The Rockets arrive as one of the best teams in the NBA, playing connected basketball on both ends of the floor.
Fred VanVleet’s return has helped stabilize a Houston team that finished as the fifth seed in the Western Conference last season but often appeared disorganized. One of the biggest storylines is the return of Kevin Durant, who is back at Mortgage Matchup Center for the second time since being traded to Houston two summers ago.
Durant is averaging 20.8 points on 12.4 field goal attempts per game, a reduction of 4.1 attempts from his previous career low. The source notes that Houston is most dangerous when Durant operates as the third or fourth offensive option, a role the team has been able to sustain while still producing at an elite level.
The Suns are coming off their second victory of the season, a Thursday win over the Orlando Magic in which they delivered their most complete execution of the year. With the San Antonio Spurs arriving Monday, Phoenix faces a pair of significant tests in the coming days.
Injury reports list Suns guard Mark Williams as out (left shoulder surgery), Jordan Goodwin as doubtful (right calf soreness) and Rasheer Fleming as questionable (left ankle sprain). For Houston, Steven Admas is out (right soleus strain) and Clint Capela is out (right ankle sprain).
Alperen Sengun, who leads Houston in points, rebounds and field goal attempts, is a central focus for Phoenix’s defense. The source argues that the Suns’ tendency to collapse on the interior could leave Houston’s perimeter shooters open.
Houston ranked 10th in the NBA in three-point percentage last season at 36.4%, despite ranking 28th in attempts. This season the Rockets sit 26th in three-point attempts but rank second in efficiency at 38.6%.
Phoenix allows the 10th most three-point attempts per game, with opponents shooting 39.4% from deep, the third-highest opponent three-point percentage in the NBA.
Jabari Smith Jr. is shooting 49.1% from deep on 6.1 attempts per game, Durant is connecting on 40.6% of his 3.6 attempts, and Marcus Smart is shooting 38.7% on 5.2 attempts off the bench.
Rebounding could be a factor. Houston led the NBA in total rebounds per game last season but has fallen to 18th this year, and with Adams and Capela unavailable, the source sees an opening for Phoenix to generate extra possessions on the glass.
The Suns rank 16th in bench scoring and Houston ranks 25th, which the source identifies as a potential edge for Phoenix. The source says quality performances from Collin Gillespie and Luke Kennard will be important in keeping the game competitive.
The source’s prediction is a Rockets win, projecting a final score of Rockets 131, Suns 116. The analysis is the publisher’s opinion and has not been independently verified.
