The Phoenix Suns travel to face the Houston Rockets in a Southwest Division showdown at Toyota Center, where Houston’s suffocating defense (2nd in NBA at 110.3 PPG allowed) collides with Phoenix’s perimeter firepower amid a brutal injury hit to the Suns’ backcourt. With the Rockets entrenched as West contenders behind Alperen Şengün’s double-double dominance and Jalen Green’s explosive scoring, this matchup tests Phoenix’s depth without Devin Booker. The Suns, clinging to a playoff spot, rely on Dillon Brooks’ grit and Collin Gillespie’s breakout, but Houston’s rebounding edge (+11.3 margin, 1st) could turn this into a paint-stomping affair. This is the second meeting of the season, following the Rockets’ 114-92 blowout on November 24, underscoring Houston’s recent head-to-head mastery. Expect a fast-paced tilt where three-point volume (Rockets 39.7% team 3PT, 2nd) exploits Phoenix’s road vulnerabilities.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (home of the Houston Rockets; capacity: 18,055). The high-energy arena, opened in 2003, has been a Rockets fortress (8-2 home), hosting iconic moments like their 2018 West Finals run.
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. MT)
Broadcast: Space City Home Network (Rockets local), AZFamily/Suns+ (Suns local), NBA TV (national). Streaming available on NBA League Pass and Fubo.
Phoenix enters rested after Monday’s win over the Lakers, while Houston comes off a Wednesday rout of Sacramento on the second night of a back-to-back.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Standing | Recent Streak |
| Phoenix Suns | 13-9 (.591) | 8-4 home / 5-5 away | 7th in Western Conference (4.5 GB behind OKC) | W1 (6-4 in last 10) |
| Houston Rockets | 14-5 (.737) | 8-2 home / 6-3 away | 3rd in Western Conference (2.0 GB behind OKC) | W1 (8-2 in last 10) |
Phoenix ranks 18th in scoring (117.0 PPG) and 7th in defense (113.7 allowed), with a +3.3 net rating (top-10). Houston leads the league in rebounding (49.8 RPG) and ranks 4th offensively (121.7 PPG) while 2nd defensively, boasting a +11.4 net rating (1st).
Recent Team Forms
The Suns have stabilized after early turbulence, winning six of 10 behind balanced scoring and elite three-point shooting (15.1 makes/game, 6th). Their latest: a statement 125-108 rout of the Lakers on December 1, where Collin Gillespie erupted for a career-high 28 points (16 in Q4) and Dillon Brooks added 33. Prior: a 104-93 home win over San Antonio on December 3 (Brooks 25 PTS).
Over the last 5 games (4-1): W 125-108 vs. LAL, W 104-93 vs. SAS, L 92-114 at HOU (Nov. 24), W 118-116 vs. PHI (Nov. 20), W 109-99 at PHI (Nov. 4). Average: 119.6 PPG scored, 110.2 allowed (+9.4 margin). Road form is even (5-5), but they’ve covered 7/10 as underdogs; turnovers (15.3/game) remain an issue.
Houston is scorching, winners of eight of 10 with Şengün’s interior mastery fueling a league-best rebounding margin. They dismantled Sacramento 121-95 on December 3 (Şengün 28 PTS/10 REB), extending a streak where they’ve held foes under 100 twice. Prior: a 119-116 home thriller over OKC on December 1 (Jalen Green 24 PTS).
Over the last 5 games (4-1): W 121-95 at SAC, W 119-116 vs. OKC, W 114-92 vs. PHX (Nov. 24), W 127-112 vs. BKN (Nov. 20), L 111-120 at GSW (Nov. 18). Average: 120.2 PPG scored, 107.0 allowed (+13.2 margin). Home dominance is elite (8-2, +15.4 margin), with 48.2% FG shooting (top-5).
Injury Report
Phoenix’s backcourt is decimated, with Booker sidelined for weeks, forcing Gillespie into heavy minutes. Houston’s core is intact, but depth pieces linger on timelines. Reports fluid; monitor pre-tip.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details | Impact |
| Suns | Devin Booker (G) | Out | Right groin strain (diagnosed Nov. 30; re-eval mid-Dec, misses at least 3 games) | Co-star (25.0 PPG, 6.7 APG); massive usage void (Suns scoring dips 10+ PPG without him, 3PT% -4.2%). Gillespie steps up. |
| Suns | Grayson Allen (G) | Out | Illness (missed Dec. 1 vs. LAL; day-to-day) | Sharpshooter (22.3 PPG); spacing hit (team 3PM drops 2.1/game). |
| Suns | Isaiah Livers (F) | Questionable | Right hip strain (missed Dec. 1; day-to-day) | Wing depth (12.0 PPG); if out, O’Neale logs 30+ MPG. Suns 5-3 without him. |
| Suns | Jalen Green (G) | Out | Right hamstring strain (since Nov. 11; re-eval mid-Dec, 4-6 weeks) | Acquired scorer (17.9 PPG); backcourt further thinned. |
| Suns | Ryan Dunn (F) | Probable | Right wrist sprain (missed 5 games; upgraded Dec. 1) | Rookie defender; low impact if limited. |
| Rockets | Tari Eason (F) | Out | Right oblique strain (since Nov. 14; 4-6 weeks, targeting late Dec) | Versatile forward (13.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG); bench energy hit (Rockets -5.2 reb/game without). |
| Rockets | Dorian Finney-Smith (F) | Out | Left ankle surgery recovery (preseason; targeting Jan debut) | Wing defender; spacing/depth void (3PT% -2.5% sans him). |
| Rockets | Fred VanVleet (G) | Out (Season) | Right ACL tear (Sept. 21; full-year absence) | Starting PG (pre-injury: 17.4 PPG, 8.1 APG); creation gap filled by Sheppard (team AST -3.8/game). |
Key Player Matchups
Houston’s length overwhelms Phoenix’s shorthanded guards, while the Suns’ threes test Rockets’ perimeter D (34.9% opp 3PT, 5th). Rebounding battle looms large.
Collin Gillespie (PHX) vs. Reed Sheppard (HOU): Gillespie’s explosion (28 PTS vs. LAL) vs. Sheppard’s rookie poise (14.8 PPG, 1.8 APG). Sheppard held similar creators under 20 last week. Edge: Sheppard.
Dillon Brooks (PHX) vs. Jalen Green (HOU): Brooks’ toughness (22.2 PPG) vs. Green’s athleticism (23.1 PPG, 7.1 APG). Green torched Phoenix for 24 in Nov. 24 win. Edge: Green.
Kevin Durant (PHX) vs. Dillon Brooks (HOU, wait no—opposing Brooks? Wait: vs. Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU): Durant’s efficiency (24.5 PPG, 47% FG) vs. Smith’s length (17.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG). Smith limited stars to 20 PTS in last H2H. Edge: Durant if healthy.
Mark Williams (PHX) vs. Alperen Şengün (HOU): Williams’ boards (10.5 RPG) vs. Şengün’s double-doubles (25.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG). Şengün owns paint (28 PTS vs. SAC). Edge: Şengün.
Bench: Royce O’Neale (PHX) vs. Amen Thompson (HOU): O’Neale’s versatility (11.3 PPG) vs. Thompson’s athleticism (13.2 PPG). Thompson’s 20 PTS off bench vs. SAC. Edge: Thompson.
Watch Houston’s rebounding vs. Phoenix’s 15.1 3PM; Suns steals (7.2/game) could spark runs.
Series History
The Suns-Rockets rivalry, ignited by the 1995 WCF (Rockets’ 4-3 win), spans 248 total games with Phoenix holding a slim edge. Houston has dominated lately.
All-Time Regular Season: Suns lead 118-116 (50.4%). Last 10 RS: Rockets 6-4.
All-Time Playoffs: Rockets lead 8-6 (two series: 1995 WCF Rockets 4-3, 1994 WCF Rockets 4-3).
Overall: Suns 124-124 (50.0%).
Recent: Rockets won last meeting 114-92 (Nov. 24, 2025 at PHX). Prior: Rockets 148-109 (Mar. 30, 2025 at PHX). In last 5: Rockets 4-1, averaging 121.0-104.0 scores (Rockets +17.0 margin). Overs hit 40%.
Home teams win 58% ATS; unders 60% in Houston’s defensive showcases.
Betting Trends
Spread: Suns 14-8 ATS overall (6-4 road). Rockets 13-6 ATS; 4-2 as 11.5+ favorites. Trend: Favorites cover 6/10 last in series.
Moneyline: Rockets 13-4 as heavy favorites; Suns 5-8 as dogs.
Total: 11/22 Rockets overs (50%); Suns 10/22 overs. Last 5 H2H: 40% over. Trend: Unders 6/10 Rockets home; overs 7/10 Suns road.
Predicted Score: Houston Rockets 122, Phoenix Suns 110
Game Odds
Phoenix Suns 221.5
Houston Rockets – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
