Houston Rockets At Phoenix Suns: Game 30: Sneak Peek Analysis

Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) attempts to shoot the ball as Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) attempts to shoot the ball as Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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This sucks — the Houston Rockets 10-game win streak is over.

This sucks — the Houston Rockets 10-game win streak is over.

It’s befitting that the San Antonio Spurs did the honors but it could’ve been easily averted had someone defended Patty Mills effectively in the waning seconds of last night’s game.

But what will be, will be…

They’ll live-and-learn to press forward with the important task at hand of winning as many games as possible.

It was fun but it becomes tough when the idea of a win streak makes become someone with a huge red target on your back.

It almost happened against the Minnesota Timberwolves but they don’t have the experienced personnel to be able to sustain their leads in games.

That’s ultimately why the Rockets won that game.

Any way, the Rockets will be facing the 8-20 Phoenix Suns on a quick roadie that will take them to the Valley of the Sun and then to Music City later in the week before being back home for the holidays.

The Rockets should avenge their loss tonight, especially if they don’t take the Suns too lightly — they have serious offensive weapons that a dent in the team’s plans tonight.

So who’s leading the charge for the Suns?

Eric Bledsoe leads the team in scoring (20.0 PPG) and dimes (5.3 APG).  Tyson Chandler is the top board-getter (11.8 RPG) while T.J. Warren is in charge of the steals (1.7 SPG) and Alex Len is the top shot-blocker (1.6 BPG).

Let’s talk about what the Suns do well.

They love to have the basketball in their hands.  The Suns are 2nd in the NBA as far as PACE, averaging 103.5 possessions per game.

They’re a decent rebounding team.  The Suns are 7th in defensive rebound rate (77.8), they’re 10th in offensive rebound rate (24.8).  They’re also tied for 13th — with the Charlotte Hornets — in rebound rate taking down 50.4 percent of missed shots.

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Injuries:

Clint Capela collided into Karl-Anthony Towns in Saturday’s action against the T-Wolves.  He seemed to be in tremendous pain and could not walk on his own power to locker room.

It’s apparent that he has a minor fracture of his fibula and is expected to be out at least four weeksNene will have some big shoes to fill as Capela heals but the Rockets can press on without him.

It would be nice for the Rockets to make a deal for his replacement but I think the depth of our bench could fill his void.

There are no injuries to report for the Phoenix Suns.

Source(s): Houston Rockets

Matchups to Watch:

  1. James Harden vs. Devin Booker
  2. Patrick Beverley vs. Eric Bledsoe
  3. Trevor Ariza vs. T.J. Warren

Prediction:

115-102 in a Houston Rockets’ win!

The Rockets have hit the road to take on the Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CST.

The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME), Sirius/XM/SiriusXM Internet 890 and La Ranchera 101.7 FM (KNTE) & 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.

Go Rockets!