The Memphis Grizzlies (18-22) will try to extend their five-game winning streak against the Houston Rockets (26-12) at FedExForum. The game can be seen on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.
Houston opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 238 points.
Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Prediction
In the Rockets’ last matchup, they easily covered the 11-point spread against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 139-109. The combined points for the game (248) came in well over the projected point total of 232. Houston launched 45 three pointers, making 18 of them (40.0 percent). Minnesota, meanwhile, was 13-48 (27.1 percent). Houston was led by Russell Westbrook, who contributed 30 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.
The Grizzlies had no trouble getting past the Golden State Warriors in their last matchup, 122-102, easily covering as 6.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (224) came in just under the O/U total of 225.5. The Grizzlies, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.0, had a phenomenal mark of 34.0, while the Warriors had a turnover percentage of 17.9 (above their season average of 12.5). Jonas Valanciunas led Memphis in scoring with 31 points on 13-for-17 shooting from the field.
Memphis figures to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Grizzlies currently rank seventh in effective field goal percentage (0.534), while Houston ranks 17th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.522). Furthermore, the Rockets, who rank second in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.230), could earn plenty of trips to the line against the Grizzlies, who rank 27th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.224).
Houston comes into the contest with records of 26-12 straight up (SU) and 20-18 against the spread (ATS). Of the Rockets’ 38 games, 21 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Memphis owns records of 18-22 SU and 21-18-1 ATS. Unlike Houston, Grizzlies games have a tendency to finish over the total (55.0 percent).
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. James Harden scored a game-high 44 points in the first game, in which the Rockets beat the Grizzlies 107-100, covering as 6-point favorites. He also had 10 rebounds and six assists. The game finished with a total of 207 points, which was 23.5 points below the projected point total of 230.5 points. The Rockets had a better free throw rate (0.215 vs. 0.181) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.468 vs. 0.441).
Rockets vs. Grizzlies Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Memphis ranks fourth in fast break points per game (16.9) while Houston ranks 27th in fast break points allowed per game (15.9).
Houston ranks fifth in rebounds per game (47.5) while Memphis ranks 14th (45.6).
The Rockets average 8.0 steals per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Grizzlies rank 17th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
Memphis is 12-10 ATS at home, while Houston is 10-10 ATS on the road.
Over its last five games, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Memphis is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.4, up from 5.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Grizzlies have scored an average of 127.2 points per game (13.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.6 points per game (3.5 below their season average).
