The Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns are hoping their Tuesday matchup is a preview to a potential matchup in the Western Conference finals. However, if that is going to happen the Suns needs to get out of the scoring slump and return to the high-octane offense they started out as. Meanwhile, the Rockets must work to replace Dwight Howard for the next six to eight weeks which could hurt their potential at getting a favorable seed and making a deep run in the playoffs.
The Phoenix Suns have lost four of their last five games as they enter the All-Star break as their offense hits a major slump. The team has fallen victim to a few buzzer beaters over the last few weeks. The Los Angeles Clippers hit one on them. Harden had one back in January. Most recently, DeMarcus Cousins knocked one in for the Sacramento Kings. Meanwhile the Suns offense is down after averaging 107.5 points per game to now putting up below 90 points in their past eight games.
Injuries are hurting. Eric Bledsoe continues to sit out following the birth of his child. He has been leading Phoenix with 16.9 points per game. Goran Dragic is struggling in his spot which is hurting trade interest around the point guard who is approaching free agency. A number of teams would like to acquire Dragic at the deadline, but right now Phoenix needs him despite his 41.8 shooting percentage over the past nine games. Phoenix is benefitting from a red hot Markieff Morris who has found his shot heading into the break.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have lost Howard for the foreseeable future after a knee injury procedure. Pressure is on Harden to fill the void. Howard has anchored the defense which was limiting opponents to 99.2 points, but has given up 110.0 points over the last two games. Harden continues to be the scoring threat, putting up 45 against the Portland Trail Blazers, but they shot 52.6 percent to push ahead. The Rockets will have to mend that.
