Preview: Suns Look to Rebound vs Rockets

The Suns are playing the Rockets three times in the next eight days.

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns (33-23) are looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Dallas Mavericks as they are set to play the Houston Rockets (24-31) tonight in Houston. 

Bradley Beal is expected to miss tonight's game after not responding to treatment for his hamstring tweak as well as anticipated. Kevin Durant is not listed on the injury report as of this morning after an injury scare late in last night's game against Dallas. 

The Rockets are coming off of a blowout loss at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Three storylines going into tonight:

Rockets: Season Slipping Away

The Rockets had a winning record as recently as January 12. 

Since then, they've gone 5-13 and have quickly found themselves in position to miss the play-in tournament altogether - they currently trail the 10 seed Golden State Warriors by 4.5 games.

All of this is despite actually possessing a positive point differential this season and having a net rating that would have Houston at an estimated six wins higher than they currently are at. 

Much of this has to do with relative inexperience - nearly all of the promise on the Rockets roster is concentrated in players that lack experience in meaningful moments from Alperen Sengun to Cam Whitmore. 

The Rockets also possess an abysmal 5-22 record on the road to counter the more than respectable 19-9 home mark in coach Ime Udoka's first season at the helm. 

Key Matchup: Alperen Sengun vs Suns' Rim Pressure

Much of the Rockets surprising start was fueled by a stringent defense.

The "cooling off" period has been marred by an offense that often lacks firepower and a defense that's strong on the perimeter but relatively weak in the lane. 

Alperen Sengun has been a revelation on the offensive end for Houston this season, but was absolutely taken advantage of inside by Zion Williamson and Jonas Valinciunas in particular. 

Phoenix needs to exploit this flaw in Houston's defense. 

The Suns shoot a high volume if free throws as is, but interestingly rank near the bottom of the league in shot attempts at the rim. 

The Suns have players that are more than capable of attacking the hoop, and they need to exploit the major glaring weakness that an otherwise strong Ime Udoka-led defense has - which is mostly due to personnel.

Prediction: Suns Win By 12

The Suns should rebound nicely from the loss to Dallas with a largely wire-to-wire victory despite some pesky play from Houston. 

Phoenix eventually takes this game by double digits and head home for a large matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon.

Phoenix and Houston are set to tip off shortly after 6:00 PM Arizona time.