Suns vs. Rockets NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, Feb 23 (Take home underdogs)

The Rockets downward spiral continued out of the All-Star break, losing in New Orleans to the Pelicans, but the team returns home to face a Phoenix Suns team that could be short-handed on Friday night.

Houston's postseason chances are dwindling, but can the team stay in the mix with a home upset of the Suns, who have struggled on defense all season? Let's break down the odds and find the best bet for the Rockets' home game against the Suns.

New Caesars Sportsbook users, sign up below and get your first bet matched up to $1,000! All you have to do is sign up below.

Suns vs. Rockets Odds, Spread and Total

Rockets vs. Suns Betting Trends

• Suns are 24-31 against the spread (ATS) this season
• Rockets are 18-9-1 ATS at home this season
• Suns have gone UNDER in 16 of 27 games

Suns vs. Rockets Injury Reports

Suns Injury Report

• Bradley Beal - OUT

Rockets Injury Report

• Tari Eason - OUT

Suns vs. Rockets How to Watch

• Date: Friday, February 23rd
• Game Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Venue: Toyota Center
• How to Watch (TV): Space City Home Network
• Suns Record: 33-23
• Rockets Record: 24-31

Suns vs. Rockets Key Players to Watch

Suns

Devin Booker: Booker did his best to lead Phoenix to a win Thursday night in Dallas, scoring 35 points and dishing out eight assists, but the Suns couldn't hold up on defense to get a win. Will that bleed into this game, or can Booker continue operating at a high level?

Rockets

Alperen Sengun: Sengun wasn't an All-Star this season, but he's a matchup nightmare for the Suns, who have struggled to slow down big men all season. Sengun is averaging 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists this season.

Suns vs. Rockets Prediction and Pick

It's tough to trust the Suns on the second night of a back-to-back given the fact that the team is already short-handed without Bradley Beal, who is healing from a nose and hamstring injury. Could the Suns watch the minutes of its stars on Friday after the likes of Kevin Durant logged 40 minutes?

Maybe, but either way I'm eyeing the Rockets, who have been far better at home this season.

The Rockets play like a top-10 team at the Toyota Center, posting a net rating of +6.4 according to NBA.com. Further, the team is 19-9 straight up.

While the Rockets are also on the heels of a back-to-back, I'm going to trust Ime Udoka's bunch to play to expectation and play competitively at home against a Suns team that has struggled on defense all season. Phoenix is a league average defense on the year but may slide even further back with a disadvantageous rest situation.

Give me the home underdog Rockets.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Track Reed's bets here!