Phoenix @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 28, 2018 ) Phoenix 102, Houston 113

The Houston Rockets are on the verge of clinching first place in the Western Conference and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs as they rip through the second half of their schedule. The Rockets will try to push their latest winning streak to 11 straight when they host the lowly Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Houston won 27 of its last 28 games and is picking on teams at the bottom of the standings of late after cruising past the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday and blasting the Chicago Bulls 118-86 on Tuesday despite resting MVP candidate James Harden. The Rockets are trying to maintain their intensity and execution heading into the postseason despite owning a big lead and already setting the franchise record for regular-season wins. The Suns are at the opposite end of the spectrum and sit in last place in the West, 42 1/2 games behind Houston. Phoenix dropped its last 13 games as it gives young players a chance to prove they belong in the team's future.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE SUNS (19-57): Two players that don't need to prove they are in the team's plans for the future are Devin Booker (hand) and TJ Warren (knee), but the two have both missed the last five games and the team is in no rush to get them back on the court. Point guard Tyler Ulis is getting plenty of chances to shine and scored a season-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting in 37 minutes in Wednesday's 111-99 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Fellow guard Shaquille Harrison scored 17 points in a season-high 31 minutes off the bench in the loss.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (61-14): Harden's absence gave Eric Gordon a chance to step back into the starting lineup, and he responded by scoring 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 8-of-13 from 3-point range. Gordon is averaging 22.4 points on 53.9 shooting over the last five games after failing to reach double figures in three of the previous four contests. Point guard Chris Paul (hamstring) returned from a three-game absence on Tuesday and collected 13 points and 10 assists in 28 minutes but is day-to-day with a sore left hip.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns PG Elfrid Payton (knee) sat out Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday.

2. Rockets PF Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) sat out the last three games and is questionable for Friday.

3. Houston took the last seven in the series while averaging 125.6 points.

PREDICTION: Rockets 122, Suns 101