Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets Prediction 12-15-23 NBA Picks
The Houston Rockets pay a visit to the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on Friday night. Here's a Rockets vs Grizzlies prediction.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are starting to heat up again as they are now gunning for a fifth straight victory after routing the Grizzlies in a 117-104 win on Wednesday. Tari Eason led the team with 25 points and 14 rebounds on 10 of 16 shooting off the bench, Jabari Smith Jr added 20 points with 10 rebounds while Fred VanVleet tallied 11 points with nine assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 45 percent from the field and 12 of 32 from the 3-point line as they squandered an early 19-point lead, before they made up for it by opening the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run to pull away and improve to 11-1 at home this season. The Rockets are 2nd in the Southwest with a 12-9 record and are above the New Orleans Pelicans (14-11).
Houston Rockets Team Facts
- The home team has won 17 of the Rockets' last 18 games.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
- Each of the Rockets' last five road games against Southwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Memphis Grizzlies
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have been in a rut as they've lost four of their last five games and they will be hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat after getting beaten by the Rockets on Wednesday. Jaren Jackson Jr led the team with 44 points on 15 of 24 shooting, Derrick Rose added 19 points with six assists while Vince Williams Jr. chipped in with 10 points but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Grizzlies shot just 42 percent from the field and 10 of 38 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to claw their way back from a 19-point deficit, only to run out of gas in the fourth quarter to allow the Rockets off the hook in the end. Ziaire Williams had a rough night as he finished with just five points on one of eight shooting, while David Roddy scored just nine points on three of 14 shooting. The Grizzlies are 4th in the Southwest with a 6-17 record. They have three wins more than the San Antonio Spurs (3-20).
Memphis Grizzlies Team Facts
- The Grizzlies have lost each of their last seven home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents following a loss.
- Each of the Grizzlies' last four games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Rockets vs Grizzlies prediction
The Rockets could be shorthanded once again with Amen Thompson listed as questionable, while the Grizzlies are still missing Marcus Smart, Ja Morant and Steven Adams with Desmond Bane listed as questionable with an illness. The Rockets were good enough to get the relatively easy win despite a monster game from the Grizzlies' Jackson Jr and I'm expecting a similar result in this one. The line is quite short in this one, but the Rockets are clearly the healthier team in better form, so I'll stick with the Rockets on the road.
