Rockets at Suns
The Phoenix Suns are far removed from the playoff race, but they could have a direct impact on the Houston Rockets’ postseason hopes. The teams play each other four times in the next 38 days to close the regular season, starting with Saturday’s contest at the US Airways Center in Phoenix. Houston moved one game behind Golden State for sixth place in the Western Conference with a 94-88 win over the Warriors on Friday.
Phoenix, which fell into a last-place tie in the West with its 121-112 loss at Sacramento on Friday, has lost two straight following a surprising three-game winning streak. The Suns are playing with a depleted frontcourt while center Jermaine O’Neal attends to his ailing 13-year-old daughter. O’Neal is expected to return next week, but center Marcin Gortat is out for the rest of the season after suffering a foot injury against Toronto on Wednesday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Fox Sports Arizona
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (34-29): Houston is known for its high-octane offense, but the Rockets found a way to win Friday despite scoring under 100 points for only the second time in their last 19 games. James Harden missed 14 of his 17 shots from the field, but he contributed 11 points at the foul line and added seven assists. Second-year forward Chandler Parsons had 26 points against the Warriors, and he’s averaging 24.3 points over the last six games.
ABOUT THE SUNS (21-41): Phoenix will need a better defensive effort against Houston after allowing lowly Sacramento to shoot 54.9 percent from the field on Friday. With O’Neal and Gortat out, the Suns started a smaller lineup that included Wesley Johnson, Marcus Morris and Markieff Morris against the Kings. Phoenix ranks as the worst 3-point-shooting defense in the league, which could make for a long night against the Rockets, who lead the NBA in 3-pointers made.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Houston has lost nine of its last 12 meetings with the Suns.
2. The Rockets are 20-10 when PG Jeremy Lin has at least seven assists compared to 14-19 when he has six or fewer.
3. Phoenix is 4-5 at home under interim head coach Lindsey Hunter.