TALE OF THE TAPE
How Rockets can punish slumping Suns and keep climbing the West
Feb 12, 2025, 10:37 am
TALE OF THE TAPE
Phoenix Suns (26-27) at Houston Rockets (33-20)
Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EST – Toyota Center, Houston
BETMGM Line: Rockets -6; Over/Under: 223.5
The Phoenix Suns will visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, looking to break a three-game road losing streak. Phoenix is currently 11th in the Western Conference, fighting to stay in playoff contention, while Houston holds the fifth spot and is aiming to solidify its position.
The Rockets have been solid against Western Conference competition, boasting a 19-12 record. However, they’ve struggled to distribute the ball effectively, averaging just 22.5 assists per game—last in the conference. Fred VanVleet, who leads the team with 5.8 assists per game, will be unavailable due to an ankle injury, potentially affecting Houston’s offensive rhythm.
For Phoenix, Devin Booker continues to lead the way, averaging 26.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. The Suns are 17-16 in conference play and will need a strong showing from their perimeter defense, as Houston makes 12.0 three-pointers per game. Grayson Allen has been heating up recently, averaging 2.7 made threes over his last 10 games.
In their last 10 games, both teams have struggled to find consistency, posting matching 4-6 records. The Suns have shown more offensive firepower in that stretch, averaging 116.1 points per game but giving up 120.0 on defense. Meanwhile, the Rockets have averaged 109.4 points but held opponents to 112.2 points per contest.
Key Matchup: Alperen Sengun vs. Suns’ interior defense
Sengun has been one of Houston’s most consistent performers, averaging 19.0 points on 49.1% shooting. If he plays through his day-to-day status (lumbar), his presence inside could challenge Phoenix’s ability to control the paint.
Injury Watch:
Both teams will need to rely on depth, with injuries limiting their usual rotations. Phoenix is desperate to stay in the playoff race, while Houston looks to protect its home court and climb the standings.
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Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
CAM SMITH COMES THROUGH! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Y6dtPpXF9J
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.
Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.
Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
FULL THROTTLE.
Hunter Brown now leads the MLB in lowest ERA (1.74). #BuiltForFuel pic.twitter.com/nkwT2MpgJQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.
Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!
🧹🧹🧹
After the @Astros completed their sweep of the Phillies, @JuliaMorales visited with Bryan Abreu!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/UeOOSNDKwW
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) June 26, 2025
Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.
Smith’s RBI.
Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.
The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.
The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).