The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to hang on to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but they will have to do it the next couple of weeks at least without excellent young big man Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizz will be underdogs on the Mybookie NBA odds for Wednesday’s trip to Houston. Let’s see how the NBA odds will be for the Grizzlies vs Rockets.
Grizzlies vs Rockets 2020 NBA Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Wednesday, 8 PM ET
- Where: Toyota Center
- TV: ESPN
- NBA Odds: Houston Rockets -10.5 / Total 235
Grizzlies vs Rockets Season Series
Teams have split two games, both in Memphis. They last played Jan. 14 and the Grizzlies won 121-110. The game was tied at 95 with 7:54 remaining before Memphis pulled away for good with a 11-1 run; Ja Morant had 11 of his team-high 26 points in the quarter and he shot 10-of-11 for the game. The Grizzlies outshot the Rockets 51.1% to 43.0% and Memphis had 25 fast break points. Since losing five straight from 11/11/17-1/14/19, Grizzlies have won two of the past three in the series. Memphis is looking to win two straight for first time since 10/23/17 and 10/28/17. The Grizzlies haven’t won a season series vs. Houston since going 3-1 in 2012-13.
Why Bet on Memphis?
The Grizzlies lost their third in a row, all on the road, 124-97 at the Clippers on Monday. Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points in three quarters and Montrezl Harrell had 22 points for Los Angeles, which led throughout and was up by 35 early in the second quarter. It was the third time this season and second against Memphis that Los Angeles put up 40 or more points in the opening 12 minutes. The Clippers were buoyed by the return of Paul George and Patrick Beverley from injuries.
The 14 points by Memphis were the fewest Los Angeles has allowed in a first quarter this season. The Grizzlies missed nine of their first 10 shots and 16 of 21 in the period while committing eight turnovers.
Ja Morant shot 7-of-13 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Monday’s loss, finishing with 16 points and one assist in 27 minutes. Morant may have shot better than 50% from the field, but the Clippers managed to shut him down as a playmaker. It was the first time in the rookie’s young career in which he failed to dish out at least two assists, and he also missed all three of his three-point attempts.
Gorgui Dieng played 28 minutes off the bench Monday with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Memphis was without Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), and Brandon Clarke left the game after just four minutes due to a sore right hip.
Jackson was hurt last Friday vs. the Lakers and will miss at least a few weeks. He ranks second on the Grizzlies with 16.9 points per game and leads the team with 1.6 blocks per game. Jackson, the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft, is shooting 39.7% from 3-point range. Clarke started for him Monday but had to leave early.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 112.79
- Field Goal %: 47.22
- Three Point %: 35.01
- Free Throw %: 76.97
- Total Rebounds: 46
Defense
- Total Score: 114.91
- Field Goal %: 45.48
- Three Point %: 37.11
- Free Throw %: 78.3
- Total Rebounds: 45.04
Why Bet on Houston?
The Houston Rockets won a fourth in a row Monday, 123-112 over the Knicks. James Harden, Russell Westbrook and P.J. Tucker arrived at the arena about 70 minutes before tip-off after attending the memorial service for Kobe Bryant earlier in the day in Los Angeles.
Harden shot 14-of-25 from the field and 5-of-9 from the foul line for 37 points along with nine assists and six rebounds. He had 31 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the field in the first half. Harden has shot 50.0% or better from the floor in consecutive games for the first time since a career-high seven-game span from 12/19-1/3. He is averaging 8.4 assists in February after averaging 6.5 apg in January. Houston is 27.6 when he scores at least 34 points this season.
Robert Covington had 11 points and seven rebounds. Covington has scored in double figures in five of the seven games that he’s played in since being acquired from the Timberwolves in early February.
Westbrook was expected to play against the Knicks, but was scratched with a sore thumb. Eric Gordon started in place of Westbrook and had 16 points in his second game back after missing three games with a bruised left leg. But he left early in the fourth quarter with a sore knee.
Mike D’Antoni said Gordon is questionable for Wednesday’s game vs. Memphis, but expects he will play. Westbrook also should play. Over his last 16 appearances, Westbrook is averaging 33.2 points per game while shooting over 53% from the floor. Westbrook ranks third in the NBA in scoring over that span (games back to 1/9).
Houston has won six of its past seven home games after losing three straight prior. The Rockets are 20-8 at home this season.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 118.58
- Field Goal %: 45.4
- Three Point %: 35.08
- Free Throw %: 78.62
- Total Rebounds: 45.19
Defense
- Total Score: 114.18
- Field Goal %: 46.18
- Three Point %: 34.5
- Free Throw %: 76.6
- Total Rebounds: 46.88
Grizzlies vs Rockets Game Trends
- Memphis are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis’ last 5 games.
- Memphis are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games against Houston.
- Houston are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games.
Grizzlies vs Rockets Expert Prediction
Houston 121, Memphis 114
