Technically, this game counts as a schedule advantage for the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets haven’t played since Wednesday, but the Phoenix Suns had a game on Thursday. In fact, this is the third game in four nights for the Suns, so I’m adding it to the counter.
After crashing back to earth after a phenomenal 5-0 start, the Rockets are 2-2 since. The defeat at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves should be a wake-up call for those that were itching to crown the Rockets as contenders. They still could be! It’s a long season.
As most of you are aware, the Rockets own Phoenix’s first round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. Therefore, this game has double importance as Houston wants the Suns to be bad (but not too bad!) and the Suns want to make that pick bad (really bad!). These teams got most of the faux bad blood out of the way last year, especially when Kevin Durant finally played in Phoenix late in the season. The Rockets should win this game, but never underestimate a motivated Dillon Brooks or Jalen Green. Add in Rockets killers Luke Kennard, Collin Gillespie, and Pat Spencer (hmm…what do they all have in common?) and you get a recipe for a “We didn’t take them seriously” loss. And that’s before I mention Devin Booker, Miles Bridges, Ryan Dunn, and (kinda once-Rocket) Khaman Maluach.
The Line (as of this post)
Schedule Advantage Counter
Looking ahead because we can
Monday night in Houston against the Denver Nuggets