Rockets at Grizzlies Under 219 1/2
Multiple injuries, slow tempo and above average defenses going against struggling offenses. That’s what we have in this Rockets-Grizzlies matchup. All of it should mean this total goes Under.
The Rockets are without Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore. That’s their third and sixth-leading scorers. If you discount scoring 129 points against the Pacers, who rank 28th defensively, the Rockets are averaging 103 points in their last four games. They’ve played three consecutive Under games.
Houston ranks 10th defensively, though. The Rockets are fifth in defensive field goal percentage and have the third-best 3-point defense.
The Grizzlies not only are down their two leading scorers, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, but have a cluster injury problem in the backcourt with Morant, Marcus Smart, Derrick Rose and Scotty Pippen Jr. all out. Morant and Bane average a combined 49.5 points and 13.4 assists per game.
So it’s no surprise the Grizzlies rank last in points and field goal percentage. They are second-to-the-bottom in 3-point shooting. Memphis is averaging only 100.3 points in its last eight games.
The Grizzlies have to rely on their 12th-ranked defense to stay in games. Memphis held the Pelicans to just 96 points in its last game. That was 20 points below New Orleans’ season average. But the Grizzlies could manage to score only 87 points.
Memphis ranks in the bottom 10 in pace, while the Rockets play at the 13th-slowest tempo.
(Editor’s note: Stephen Nover is enjoying another strong NBA season going 34-22 on his last 56 premium plays. Stephen’s Wednesday NBA card is topped by his Western Conference Game of the Month. If you are interested in Stephen’s sports service, please email him at scriber26@gmail.com, or message him via X (formerly Twitter). Best of luck and no bad beats!
