Houston Rockets (25-33, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (34-24, sixth in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Houston hits the road against Phoenix looking to stop its eight-game road skid.
The Suns have gone 20-17 against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix is 7-5 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Rockets are 17-17 in conference games. Houston is seventh in the Western Conference allowing only 113.1 points while holding opponents to 46.1% shooting.
The Suns make 49.6% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.5 percentage points higher than the Rockets have allowed to their opponents (46.1%). The Rockets average 12.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 13.2 per game the Suns allow.
The teams play for the third time this season. The Rockets won the last matchup 114-110 on Feb. 24, with Fred VanVleet scoring 23 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kevin Durant is averaging 28 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists for the Suns. Grayson Allen is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Phoenix.
Alperen Sengun is averaging 21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Rockets. Jalen Green is averaging 14.2 points and 3.9 assists over the past 10 games for Houston.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 6-4, averaging 120.7 points, 45.1 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 9.5 steals and 6.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points per game.
Rockets: 2-8, averaging 107.8 points, 48.4 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 7.2 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 42.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Eric Gordon: day to day (groin), Bradley Beal: day to day (hamstring), Damion Lee: out (knee).
Rockets: Tari Eason: out (leg), Steven Adams: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
