Phoenix at Houston

This is a huge game with Houston on the playoffs bubble, trying to hang on and a veteran Phoenix team within striking distance. With eight games remaining and a two-game deficit behind Houston and Denver, this is a must-win game for the Suns. Phoenix is on a 5-2 ATS run, 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on one day of rest and the Suns are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. In addition, the Suns are expecting reinforcements tonight with the return of Grant Hill, two weeks after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair a meniscus tear. Houston is not strong defensively, allowing 97.4 points per game (No. 19 in the NBA) and when they came home after that four-game trip they looked out of gas the last game in a 103-91 loss to up-tempo Utah. Phoenix is 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings in Houston and the Suns are 23-8 ATS in the last 31 meetings overall. In addition, look for more defense than oddsmakers expect because so much is at stake. The UNDER is 14-6 in the Suns' last 20 games following a loss of more than 10 points and they are 14-4 UNDER the total in their last 18 vs. the NBA Southwest. The UNDER is also 28-13 in the Suns last 41 against the Western Conference. Meanwhile the UNDER is 5-1 in the Rockets' last six against the Western Conference. And when these teams meet, the UNDER is a perfect 4-0 in the last four meetings. Play the UNDER and take the Suns.