Rockets vs Suns prediction NBA · Saturday, November 7
At a glance
The Phoenix Suns (1-2) host the Houston Rockets (5-0) on Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 PM ET at Mortgage Matchup Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Rockets a 63% chance to win and projects a 114-110 score (Rockets – Suns), about 225 total points. This season, the Suns are 1-0 at home and the Rockets are 3-0 on the road. Since the start of the season: 1-2 for the Suns and 5-0 for the Rockets (current streaks: Suns L1, Rockets W5). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 30% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Reed Sheppard (Rockets), Marcus Smart (Rockets), Steven Adams (Rockets) and Mark Williams (Suns). Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
Slight edge to the Rockets, but the Suns have what it takes to keep it close. The model projects Suns 110 – 114 Rockets, a margin of about 4.0 points in favor of the Rockets and a total around 225 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Suns will be without Mark Williams. The Rockets will be without Reed Sheppard or Marcus Smart (and 1 other). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (-1.4 vs +6.7 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Suns need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Rockets' offense (117.5 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
- The Rockets' defense allows clearly fewer points (109.7 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
HOUPHX
Players to watch
Rockets
Alperen SengunC · #2824.5pts / game
Alperen SengunC · #287.0assists
Alperen SengunC · #289.0rebounds
Suns
Devin BookerG · #1522.7pts / game
Devin BookerG · #155.3assists
Khaman MaluachC · #107.3reboundsRecent form
HOU
128-110W
114-110W
121-114W
120-110W
132-100
PHX
123-103L
119-116L
124-83W
131-122L
125-114Head-to-head
3 meetings scheduled this season.
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| HOU | PHX | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-0 | Record | 1-2 |
| 117.5 | Points scored / game | 111.9 |
| 109.7 | Points allowed / game | 113.6 |
| +6.7 | Adjusted margin / game | -1.4 |
| W5 | Current streak | L1 |
| 5-0 | Last 10 games | 1-2 |
| 3-0 road | Home / road record | 1-0 home |
| 52-30 (+5.2) | Last season | 45-37 (+1.5) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Rockets
Injury report Suns
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.
HOU