Opinion
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Will the Houston Rockets Extend Their Home Court Dominance Against the Phoenix Suns?

As the Houston Rockets gear up to face the Phoenix Suns, fans are eager to see if their team can maintain their momentum after a series of intense games. The upcoming clash scheduled for December 27th at 7:00 PM promises to be a spectacle of skill and strategy.


MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 15:  Fred VanVleet #5 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 15, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Rockets have shown they are not a team that backs down easily. Their recent performance against the Indiana Pacers on December 27th, although ending in a narrow defeat with a score of 117-123, highlighted their resilience. Despite trailing behind in points off turnovers with 24 compared to Pacers' 17 and falling short in fast break points by tying at 12 each, HOU demonstrated an impressive ability to draw fouls and capitalize on second-chance opportunities, scoring an astounding 22 second-chance points.


However, it's not just about what happens under the hoop; it's also about what occurs beyond the arc. The three-point shooting was less than stellar against Indiana, hitting only 21 percent from downtown. This is an area where HOU will need significant improvement when facing PHX.


Looking back further at their game against New Orleans Pelicans on December 24th showcases another facet of this Rockets team – their tenacity on defense which led them to victory with a scoreline of 106-104. They managed to keep turnovers low (12) while forcing more from NOP (16), showcasing strategic defensive prowess that could prove crucial against PHX.


But perhaps most indicative of HOU's potential was their dominant win over Dallas Mavericks on December 23rd where they led for nearly the entire game and secured an emphatic victory with a scoreline of 122-96. Their offensive rating soared as they outperformed DAL in almost every category – especially notable was their paint dominance where they scored two-thirds of attempts resulting in an impressive paint total of 66 points.


The Phoenix Suns will certainly pose challenges; however, based on recent performances by both teams and considering home-court advantage at Toyota Center, there is reason for optimism among Rockets fans. It will be essential for HOU to continue exploiting paint mismatches while improving perimeter shooting efficiency if they wish to secure another win before year-end festivities fully take hold.


Fans should mark their calendars for this exciting matchup between Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns taking place at Toyota Center in Houston, TX (zip code:77002). The game is set for December 27th starting promptly at seven o'clock in the evening local time and can be watched live on Space City Home Network channel number six hundred seventy-four or followed along via AZFamily network if cheering from afar.

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