It will be a battle of division foes when the Houston Rockets (33-33) welcome the Memphis Grizzlies (39-27) to the Toyota Center. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Monday, Mar. 14 and can be seen on RSW.
The Rockets lost to the Hornets 125-109 on Saturday. Corey Brewer finished with 21 points to lead the team. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are coming off a 95-83 loss against the Hawks on Saturday. Lance Stephenson had a team-high 18 points.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for Houston’s offense, which ranks 26th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 15.4%). Memphis’s gambling defense forces the most turnovers in the league (16.4%).
The Grizzlies have won two out of three against the Rockets this season, but dropped their most recent game, 107-91. Terrence Jones had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block, and three three-pointers.
The Rockets have gone 33-33 Straight Up (SU) and 28-37-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games. The Rockets are a dangerous three-point shooting team with 10.0 made per game, one of the highest marks in the NBA. Something to watch out for is if Houston can force its opponents into turnovers and convert them into baskets. They’ve done an excellent job of that all year with an average of 18.9 points off turnovers per game.
In the other locker room, the Grizzlies head into the game with records of 33-30-3 ATS and 39-27 SU. Memphis has records of 7-7 SU and 6-8 ATS against the Southwest. The Grizzlies get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking fourth in the league with 1,324 made (20.0 per game). When it comes to stealing the ball, the Grizzlies are one of the best in the league with an average of 8.9 steals per game.
Houston beat Memphis in their most recent meeting this season, but the Grizzlies still lead the head-to-head record over the last 10, 6-4 SU. With a 6-4 record, the Grizzlies also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mem
Notes
Houston’s offense and Memphis’ defense are well matched when it comes to scoring. Houston puts up 0.0 points per game (ranked zeroth). Memphis allows 0.0 points per game, which is also ranked zeroth.
Houston and Memphis are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per home game and points allowed per away game respectively. Houston puts up an average of 0.0 points per home game, while Memphis allows 0.0 points per away game on average.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Houston Rockets are an outstanding 13-3. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Memphis Grizzlies have a losing record of 10-21.
Houston is 20-30 when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Grizzlies have a dazzling 29-6 record when they hit the century mark.
The Grizzlies have a defensive rating of 104.3 (ranked 15th). The Rockets rank ninth for their offensive rating of 105.1.
The Houston Rockets average 100.6 possessions and 1.051 points per possession in games this season. The Memphis Grizzlies average fewer possessions with 95.8, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.036.
Ranked eighth in the NBA, Houston has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.9%. Memphis is 13-18 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Houston attempts an average of 31.0 three pointers per game, and Memphis attempts 18.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Rockets have a 28-29 record while the Grizzlies have a 3-2 record.
Houston has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.40 this season (ranked 27th). Memphis ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.67 (ranked 11th).
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league with just 41.1 per game. Ranked 23rd, the Houston Rockets average 42.7 rebounds.
Houston is ranked 28th in defensive rebounds, while Memphis ranks 21st in offensive rebounds.
Houston is among the best in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.9% (ranked third). Memphis has an 8-6 record SU when its TOV% reaches 15.9% or greater.
