Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns game preview

I’m writing this preview before the Rockets take on the Lakers, so if anything crazy happens in that game I won’t be mentioning it here.

Just kidding.

What a win for the Rockets in Los Angeles against the team with the best record in the West. Houston’s small ball lineup is now 6-0 and Robert Covington seems to be the perfect fit alongside the other rotation pieces.

Tonight will be an uphill climb for Houston as the Rockets won’t arrive in Phoenix until early Friday morning after an emotionally and physically draining game at Staples Center. The Suns are on a 4-game losing streak but had yesterday off.

Phoenix has a three-headed monster on offense with Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Deandre Ayton. The Rockets will be daring Ayton to go off against the undersized lineup, and he’s good enough to do so. But so was Anthony Davis and the Rockets still won that game. The teams that will give Houston the most trouble will be the ones that can attack the basket and Phoenix has a few players that can do that in Booker, Oubre, and Ricky Rubio.

With Russell Westbrook missing the game due to it being a back-to-back, expect James Harden to take more of a role on offense compared to last night. Houston will also be hoping to get contributions from Eric Gordon and Danuel House Jr.

Tip-off is at 8pm CT