Five months after the blockbuster offseason trade that sent him to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant, Dillon Brooks returns to Houston.
Brooks was the only major component of the trade to play in the team’s first game, last month in Phoenix, and he scored 29 points while jawing with his former coach all night. Now he plays in the city he called home for two years.
The Suns will be without Jalen Green, another key player in that deal, as well as leading scorer Devin Booker. My Suns vs. Rockets predictions and free NBA picks expect a lot of Brooks but not much else for Phoenix as Houston covers.
Suns vs Rockets prediction
Suns vs Rockets best bet: Rockets -11 (-110)
The Houston Rockets overwhelmed the Phoenix Suns in their first meeting 11 days ago. Houston won by 22 and became the only team to hold the Suns under 100 points so far this season.
Since then, the Rockets have won three of four, straight up and ATS, against a schedule that is a combined 23 games below .500. The Suns, meanwhile, have faced four teams that are 28 games over, including two division leaders, going 2-2, 3-1 ATS.
The big news for Phoenix is that Devin Booker, who leads the Suns in scoring (25.0 points) and assists (6.7), is out for at least a week with a groin injury. That means Dillon Brooks, who always wears his emotions on his sleeve, will be the main option.
With Booker on the floor in the first game against his old team, Brooks took 22 shots, making 11 and scoring 29, while keeping up a game-long dialogue with the Houston bench.
He began talking about the rematch minutes after Phoenix’s last game ended.
“We owe them something,” he said. “I’m hungry. Want to get a win over there.”
Brooks will likely begin firing away, from the floor and verbally, soon after entering the arena, which makes for an exciting game but maybe not the best game plan.
That’s especially true considering Houston has a player in the lineup who wasn’t available for the first game—Kevin Durant. He’s played the last three outings, averaging 27 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists, all above his season averages.
Houston has the fourth best defensive rating in the league and showed last time it can keep Phoenix in check, even with Brooks going off.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Suns vs Rockets same-game parlay
This is the lowest over-under point total either team has faced this season, by a 1.5-point margin. It’s also the lowest cutoff in the NBA so far this week.
Yes, Houston plays at the second-slowest pace, and Phoenix isn’t much faster, but this appears to be a major overcorrection. The Suns have gone over (with much higher cutoffs) the last three games. The Rockets have been under six of the last seven, but five of those games had cutoffs in the 230s.
Brooks is out to get revenge, and the best strategy for the Rockets may be to let him. If he’s jacking up 30 shots and yelling at the sideline, it’ll get him points and Houston the win. Look for him to get his, even if it shoots his team in the foot.
Suns vs Rockets SGP
- Rockets -11
- Over 221
- Dillon Brooks Over 21.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Brooks calling the shots
One thing Brooks won’t be doing is looking to get teammates involved. With Booker out, he is the team’s first option, and he’s incented to call his own number.
In the first game with Houston, he had 0 assists, and that was with Booker as an option. In eight games against Memphis since leaving the Grizzlies, he’s had two or more assists three times, none twice and averaged 1.4 dimes.
Suns vs Rockets SGP
- Rockets -11
- Over 221
- Dillon Brooks Over 21.5 points
- Dillon Brooks Under 1.5 assists
Suns vs Rockets odds
- Spread: Phoenix +11 (-110) | Houston -11 (-110)
- Moneyline: Phoenix +400 | Houston -550
- Over/Under: Over 221 (-110) | Under 221 (-110)
Suns vs Rockets betting trend to know
Houston has covered four of six games this season as a favorite of 11 or more points. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Rockets.
How to watch Suns vs Rockets
| Location | Toyota Center, Houston, TX |
| Date | Friday, December 5, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | KTVK, SCHN |
Suns vs Rockets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
