NBA Picks: Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns
Written April 1, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz
The Rockets have molded themselves into a mindset of team-first mentality this year. Some say it is due to T-Mac being out that they can finally play freely without the overrated McGrady complaining all the time. The real reason is due to the maturation of Ron Artest. The often troubled Artest has been in trouble non stop for the past 3-4 years. But under Coach Adelman he seems to be with a clear head and is playing great basketball averaging 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Artest and Yao seem to have a connection on the court that Yao and T-Mac never did. The Rockets are 48-26 this year and currently hold the 3 seed in the West, although that could change at any moment. Houston scores 11 less points per game due to their style of play. They give up 13 less points against than the Suns, the reason for that is they play something called “defense”. Artest, Battier and Scola are all great defenders. Their opponent, the Phoenix Suns, need this game to stay in the playoff race. Most people tend to lean towards the team that is need of a game just because, well, they need it. I don’t do that, I have realized after being in this business for quite some time that just because a team needs to win, doesn’t mean they will win. The Rockets match up very well against Phoenix and if Houston does turn this game into a slow bore, they’ll win with extreme ease. Brent Barry off the bench I expect will be a huge contributor tonight. The Rockets are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are playing great ball at the right time. I expect the Rockets to put the final nail in Phoenix’s coffin tonight and end their playoff hopes. Houston is currently +1.5. Take is and run.
This is the Phoenix Suns’ season tonight. They are four games back of Dallas and must win here to keep hope. They have lost three games in a row, all on the road. The last loss coming against one of the NBA’s worst, the Sacramento Kings. Steve Nash has been annoyed and angry all year long as he misses his old coach Mike D’Antoni desperately. Amare had the same issues, and to pile it all up had a season ending injury on his eye. This is a team that has never come together and is filled with the wrong type of players. The Suns average 109 points per game but give up 107 against. Now when they play bad teams they will more likely get away with it, however when they face off verse legit competition they often have major issues. Their opponent, the Houston Rockets, are a team filled with winners who play the right way. The Sun will fade on Phoenix’s season tonight as Yao, Artest and company will control this game from start to finish. If the Suns want to keep their season alive, Jason Richardson and Steve Nash must keep this game up and down at a wild pace. Turnovers are a plus in this one. If the Suns let this game slow down just an inch, it will go a mile for Houston.
Haimo’s Hot Notes: The Rockets have won the last three meetings between these two teams dating back to last year. This is an awful match up for Phoenix , perhaps the worst in the league for them. The Suns are a ticking time bomb that will explode tonight. The Road Team is 13-5 ATS in the last 18 meetings between these two teams. The Suns are 3-9 ATS against the Southwest in their last 12 games overall. While the Rockets don’t have the best trends against the Pacific at 2-6 in their last eight overall, the difference is that Houston is has big game pedigree, Phoenix doesn’t. Not much to think about here, take Houston +1.5 tonight as this is the BEST BET.
We went 2-0 yesterday with Pistons +10 and Blazers -6. Lets capitalize again tonight.
Betting Line: Suns -1.5
Jordan’s Pick: Take the Rockets +1.5 (BEST BET)
Documented Record:
23-19 OVERALL
7-5 BEST BET
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