The Houston Rockets are set to clash against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night inside Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, TN. They jump it up at 8:00pm. To their credit, the Rockets have played well this season for a team that is rebuilding. 

 

Bookmaker has installed the Rockets as a slim 4-point favorite. 

 

 

The Rockets have won four straight wins and this is a quick turnaround rematch from earlier in the week, when they earned a 117-104 win over these same Memphis. They rebounded from a three-game losing streak with this recent nice little run. 

 

Houston is led by young center Alperen Sengun who is averaging 20 points per game to go along with just under ten rebounds per contest. He is also adding 5.4 assists per game as well. He is showing he is a complete player who also plays both ends of the floor and is also a player that the Rockets seem content to build around. 

 

The Rockets also get some great play and minutes from guard Jalen Green who is contributing 18 points per contest. He is a big time playmaker and loves to push the ball up the floor and attack the basket. 

 

 

The Grizzlies have dropped three straight losses and four of five and eight of 11 overall. They are led by Desmond Bane who is netting close to 24.8 points per contest and has been a solid player on the floor. If Bane has to carry the offensive load they will be in trouble. 

 

Power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. who is netting close 21 a clip and he is also adding in six rebounds per clip. They love to push the pace and tempo and their guards can really push the tempo. They are not a very good defensive team but they have shown they can score here and there as a starting unit. 

 

Memphis, though, on the defensive end of the floor is poor. They have allowed 120 points or more in two out of their last three losses. They do a poor job of not turning the ball over as they have allowed close to 13 turnovers a contest and they need to do a better job of protecting the basketball. If they can keep this game close heading into the fourth quarter and if they can get Bane involved early and keep him out of foul trouble, they can keep this game close. 

 

 

Memphis is 3-2 in their last five games and 4-1 in their last five games against the number. The Grizzlies are a solid 6-5 in their road games against the spread. The totals have gone over in two of their last five games and the totals have gone over in three of their last 10 games at home. Houston is 2-3 in their last five games and 2-2 in their last five games against the number. The totals have gone over in two of their last five games. The totals have gone over in two out of their last 10 games at home.