NBA Preview: Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Houston Rockets (24-12) aim to land their second win over the Memphis Grizzlies (24-13) this season when the two meet on Thursday, January 9 at 8:00 PM ET at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The Rockets are favored on the road with a point spread at -3.5 (+100) at Bookmaker.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Rockets have won their last two games and look to build on that momentum here. Their recent success was a 135-112 performance over the Washington Wizards, which showed their second consecutive game of scoring at least 119 points.
They came out a little sluggish to start the game and were down 30-20 after the first quarter. But they turned it up starting the second quarter and put up 37 points or better in each quarter thereafter. Jalen Green was pivotal in their success, as he scored 22 of his 29 points in the third quarter.
Their offense clearly performed better than the Wizards, as they shot 51.5 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from deep. They also forced the Wizards to turn it over 18 times.
The Rockets rank 12th in the league for their offensive output at 112.9 points a game. Defensively they have held teams to 106.8 a game and rank third, offering an appealing margin of victory.
Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview
The Grizzlies are just a few wins away from what they accomplished all of last season, which was filled with injuries left and right. Their latest battle was a 119-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, snapping their two-game skid.
Speaking of injuries they were without Desmond Bane and Ja Morant, both of whom are still listed as questionable for this upcoming matchup. Jaren Jackson Jr. had a huge game against the Mavs, leading with 35 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
They had a better shooting percentage overall compared to the Mavs at 45.5 percent, but came up short when looking at three point shooting at 34.3 percent. This game should have been closer, but the Mavs were held to 19 points in the second quarter.
The Grizzlies are the best team offensively when healthy at 123.1 points a game. Their defense could use some work since they allow 114.7 points a game and rank 21st. This spread is usually in their favor when they have all the right pieces in play.
Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick
Bookmaker has you set for the Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies betting odds, which shows the Rockets favored by 3.5-points. Current matchup predictions suggest the Grizzlies have a 53.0 percent chance of winning.
The Rockets have an advantage if they have a healthy roster and the Grizzlies might be without star players. For now, the Rockets should be able to cover the spread.
Final Pick: Houston Rockets -3.5 (+100)
