The Memphis Grizzlies (18-25) and Houston Rockets (27-16) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on SCHN.
The Rockets are 10.5-point favorites over the Grizzlies on the spread (Rockets -10.5), with the over/under set at 224.5 total points. Houston is a -450 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Memphis is +350 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Grizzlies vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Monday, January 26.
Grizzlies vs Rockets Prediction, Picks
- Grizzlies vs Rockets pick: Over 224.5 (-110)
My Grizzlies vs Rockets best bet is on the Over at 224.5 total points, with the best price currently available at bet365, but make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Grizzlies vs Rockets Odds
| Grizzlies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 224.5 -110o / -110u | +350 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 224.5 -110o / -110u | -450 |
Grizzlies vs Rockets NBA Preview
If your weekend or schedule was disrupted by the frigid weather, you're not alone.
The Grizzlies were scheduled to host the Nuggets yesterday afternoon, but the game was postponed due to inclement weather. That postponement removes a back-to-back from their schedule, at least for now, as they'll take on the Rockets tonight.
The Grizzlies come to Houston having lost seven of their last 10 games, most recently a 133-127 loss to the Pelicans on Friday.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (26 points, 12 rebounds), Jock Landale (24 points, 11 rebounds) and Cam Spencer (21 points, 11 assists) all posted double-doubles, but it wasn't enough, as Memphis couldn't get enough stops.
They have allowed 117 points in seven of their last 10 games and rank 22nd in defensive rating over that span.
Spencer has been filling in for Ja Morant, who suffered an elbow injury in Wednesday's loss to the Hawks and will be re-evaluated in three weeks. As a starter this season, Spencer is averaging 12.3 points and 9.5 assists per game.
The Rockets return home after splitting a road set with the 76ers and Pistons. After losing four of five a couple of weeks ago, they've flipped the switch and won four of their last five games, including a 111-104 victory over Detroit on Friday.
Houston enters tonight's game in fourth place in the Western Conference, 2.5 games behind Denver.
Securing home-court advantage will be pivotal, as the Rockets are 15-3 at home this season and will look to add a 16th win tonight.
Houston has been banged up in the frontcourt, with Alperen Şengün playing through an ankle injury, while Steven Adams remains out after spraining his left ankle.
Şengün's numbers over his last 10 games (17 points, eight rebounds and 5.4 assists) are down across the board compared to his season averages.
Amen Thompson has picked up the slack lately, scoring at least 15 points in eight of his last 10 games, including 20 points in five of those contests.
Kevin Durant snapped a mini shooting slump with consecutive 30-point games out East. Both he and Jabari Smith Jr. could be primed for big nights.
Grizzlies vs Rockets Predictions, Betting Analysis
Houston has won seven of the last 10 meetings in this series, and these games usually feature plenty of points.
The over is 7-2-1 over the last 10 matchups, and six of them have finished north of 226 points.
Each of the last six meetings has reached at least 230 points, which presents significant value with tonight's total sitting at 224.5.
Houston won the first meeting this season, 124-109 back in November, despite Kevin Durant having one of his worst games of the year, scoring just 11 points on 5-for-18 shooting.
He enters tonight averaging 28 points per game over his last 10 contests, scoring 23 or more in seven of those. He has also recorded at least four rebounds in 21 straight games.
Jabari Smith Jr. was incredibly efficient in that first meeting, going 6-for-8 from the field and 2-for-3 from three for 16 points and four rebounds.
Against power forwards, Memphis ranks 28th in points allowed, 25th in rebounds allowed and 26th in 3-pointers allowed.
I like Durant for 30 points + rebounds and Smith for 20 points + rebounds, as this matchup should benefit both.
Durant has reached 30 PR in five of his last six games against Memphis, while Smith has reached 20 PR in four of his last six meetings with the Grizzlies.
Cam Spencer is averaging 10 assists over his last 10 games without Ja Morant.
The Rockets present a tougher matchup, allowing the 10th-fewest assists to point guards, but I still like Spencer to record at least seven assists tonight, a mark he's reached in nine of his last 10 games without Morant.
I'll round out this parlay with Amen Thompson for 15 points. He has scored 19 or more in his last three games against Memphis, averaging 22.7 points per game over that span.
Grizzlies vs Rockets Best Bet
- Over 224.5 (-110)
Grizzlies vs Rockets Parlay Picks
- Kevin Durant 30+ Points + Rebounds
- Jabari Smith Jr. 20+ Points+ Rebounds
- Amen Thompson 15+ Points
- Cam Spencer 7+ Assists
Parlay Odds: +405 via DraftKings
Rockets vs Grizzlies Betting Trends
