Rockets Clash With Young, Deserted Suns
All By Themselves. Overlook Watch. Valley of the Young and Done.
Stop number 3 on Houston’s 4-game road-trip is in Phoenix as the Rockets take on the Suns on Monday night. Phoenix is separated from the rest of the pack in the West. The Suns are clearly the worst team in the crowded conference, and Houston should have no problem taking care of business in the valley of the sun. Phoenix has lost ten straight games, and they’re eyeing the tank-portion of the season as they set their sights on the potential of landing Zion Williamson in the NBA Draft, this June. The Suns are very young, with a rookie head coach. Phoenix can pose problems if Houston reverts back to annoying trends comparable to playing down to their competition, as seen earlier this season. The Rockets have won 8 straight against the Suns, including 9 in a row in Phoenix. They’ll look to extend those streaks Monday night, with a carryover performance from Saturday’s exceptional win in Utah.
The Rockets can’t afford to overlook any more bad teams on the schedule. Phoenix are one of those bad teams, and Houston needs to take care of business early so they can get some rest in their 3rd game in 4 nights. Harden and the Rockets have toyed with inferior competition all season long. Their lack of focus and inability to “get up” for the worst teams in the NBA has come back to bite Houston several times. The Rockets have lost at least 5 games they should have won this season. Winning those games would have Houston in the 3rd spot instead of the 6th in the Western Conference. Look for the Beard’s “Unguardable” Tour to continue in Phoenix as the Rockets should put the Suns away early. Houston is 8-7 in their last 15 games, with many of those losses coming to inferior opponents. Harden and the Rockets look to put an end to that trend with a win Monday.
Despite having the 2nd worst record in the league, the Suns have a young, talented core at the center of their roster. Devin Booker, only 22, is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA, and will soon be an All-Star. DeAndre Ayton, only 20, was the 1st overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft, and the big man is having a stellar rookie campaign. If Luka Doncic wasn’t having a magical season in Dallas, Ayton would be this season’s Rookie of the Year. The Suns season is finished. Not technically, but Phoenix has already clinched a losing season, and won’t be making the playoffs. It doesn’t mean they won’t present challenges for the Rockets. Ayton will pose problems in the post, and the Rockets don’t have anyone big enough to guard him besides the limited minutes Nene will see. The Manimal, Kenneth Faried, is poised to have another effective game for the Rockets as they look to win their 2nd straight as they try and finish this portion of the season strong heading into the All-Star break.
Talking Stick Resort Arena: Phoenix, Arizona
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (30-22): “City Edition” Maroon
Phoenix Suns (11-43): White
TV: 8 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW
Another win in the books 🚀