Posted on
4/14/2008 12:24:06 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Rockets Host Suns
By Eric Williams
The Phoenix Suns, (53-26 SU, 38-38-3 ATS, 44-35 O/U), are showing online basketball betting players as well as the rest of the western conference just why they acquired Shaquille O’Neal and have six of their last eight games in the BetUS Sportsbook, including an emphatic 96-79 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
The Houston Rockets, (53-25 SU, 45-31-2 ATS, 34-43-1 O/U), have been reminding their opponents just how they won a franchise-record 22 consecutive games at one point this season, winning four straight games coming into this affair including a resounding 103-80 win over the Seattle Supersonics on Wednesday.
The Suns are looking to complete their ‘Texas Two-Step’ against a Rockets team that will be getting superstar Tracy McGrady back in the lineup tonight.
"Anytime you come here it's a good win," Steve Nash said of his team’s win over the Spurs. "But we're also still fighting for seeding. It gives us another possibility as far as seeding goes."
The Rockets, one of the most featured teams in the BetUS Locker Room this season, are a half-game ahead of Phoenix in the West though both teams still have a shot at getting the conference's No. 1 seed.
"If we lose, Phoenix and Utah and everybody is going to get over us, we would lose home-court advantage and it would make things much more difficult," Rockets rookie Luis Scola said.
O'Neal and the Suns are getting used to playing together, and Shaq is getting back some of his old swagger in the process, scoring 16 points against the Spurs.
"I played through everything," said O'Neal. "I told them that if they play me single coverage, let me make them pay. I'm still the baddest 36-year-old ever created."
The Suns have won three of four while going 6-4 in their last ten contests, both straight up and against the spread.
Houston has won seven of their last ten games while going 5-4-1 against the spread over the same span.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Picks:
The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Southwest.
The Suns are 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 vs. Western Conference.
The Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. Western Conference.
The Rockets are 21-5-1 ATS in their last 27 games following a S.U. win.
The Over is 6-1 in Suns last seven games as a road underdog.
The Under is 4-1 in Rockets last five games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
The Suns are 12-2 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Houston.
The Suns are 14-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
Analysis: This game is going to be an absolute knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish between two of the best teams in the west this season. In the end, I like the Rockets to defend their home court with a fine defensive effort against the Suns who are really starting to come together.
NBA Free Picks: Rockets +1 Point/Under 204 Total Points
08:35 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Phoenix Suns -1 -110
Houston Rockets +1 -110
Over 204 -110
Under 204 -110
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