Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets
The pick & result
- Published pick
- Houston Rockets -11.5 -112
- Published odds
- -112
- Result
- Won
- Final score
- 98-117
Odds are the American price printed with this pick, not a current offer. Wins, losses and pushes remain on the public record; a missing grade is not a win.
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
Houston Rockets Phoenix Suns Record 14-5 ← 13-9 Off Rating 119.6 ← 113.7 Def Rating 108.5 ← 113.9 Net Rating +11.1 ← -0.2 Key Injuries Eason, Finney-Smith, Livers, Booker, VanVleet Jalen Green
Gary's Take I love this spot for Houston. The Rockets hold clear edges in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and they're doing it while already playing without Fred VanVleet, so this version of the team is what the numbers reflect. Phoenix's profile still bakes in Devin Booker, but he's sidelined now, taking away their top on-ball creator.
Here's how I see it playing out. Kevin Durant controls the half-court offense, and Houston's size with Clint Capela and Steven Adams backs up that strong defensive rating by forcing Phoenix into contested looks. Without Booker, the Suns lean on Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen to manufacture shots against an elite defense, which is a tough way to stay close.
The efficiency and net rating gaps, plus Houston's strong home results, point to the Rockets stretching this one out rather than sweating a coin-flip late. The number is big, but it's big for a reason with Phoenix so shorthanded. I'm laying the points: Houston Rockets -11.5.
Injuries noted
Phoenix Suns: Isaiah Livers (Out) — Dec 4: Livers (hip) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Rockets.; Devin Booker (Out) — Dec 3: Booker (groin) will be re-evaluated in one week, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.; Jalen Green (Out) — Nov 11: Green (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Houston Rockets: Tari Eason (Out) — Dec 3: Eason (oblique) is targeting a late December return, Michael Shapiro of SI.com reports.; Dorian Finney-Smith (Out) — Dec 3: The Rockets are eyeing January for Finney-Smith (ankle) to make his season debut, Michael Shapiro of SI.com reports.; Fred VanVleet (Out) — Sep 22: VanVleet suffered a torn ACL and may be out for the entire 2025-26 campaign, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
About this analysis
- Who made it
- Gary AI, an AI sports-analysis product operated by Gary A.I. LLC. No human reviewer is claimed unless one is explicitly named.
- Published data
- Daily picks first stored December 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM ET.
- Odds record
- The pick receipt shows the price printed in the published ticket. The matchup market and line ladder provide separate market context. Source names were not retained with this pick.
- Accountability
- Read the editorial standards, source policy, and corrections process.
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