NBA Spreads: Memphis Grizzlies at Houston Rockets
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Houston Rockets will look for their sixth consecutive win at home when they host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Houston comes into the game off a 117-105 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, but have won five of eight and are 10-10 since starting the season 0-5. The Grizzlies absolutely dominated the Charlotte Bobcats in their last game, winning 113-80, and are currently on a season-long four game winning streak, including two straight on the road. These two teams met back on Dec.3 with Houston winning 127-111 at Memphis. Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s game the oddsmakers have the Rockets favored by 4-points over the Grizzlies.
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A big reason for the Grizzlies recent surge has been their play on the defensive side of the court. Memphis has held their last four opponents to an average of just 83.5 points per game, and one of those games went into overtime.
Rudy Gay leads the Grizzlies with a 21 point average, and is coming off 23 point performance against the Bobcats. Gay scored 29 points in an earlier loss to the Rockets, his highest total over his last 20 games. Zach Randolph is second on the team with an 18 point average, but had just 14 points and eight rebounds against Houston.
The guy the Grizzlies really need to step up tonight is O.J Mayo, who came off the bench to score 24 points in 24 minutes against the Bobcats. Mayo had just three points against the Rockets, but has scored in double figures in each of the Grizzlies last three games. The other player the Grizzlies need to come out strong is point guard Mike Conley, who had 19 points and eight assists against the Rockets just a couple weeks ago.
Houston is hoping their recent addition of Terrence Williams will give them a much needed lift off the bench. Williams, who is expected to make his Rockets debut tonight, was acquired in a trade with the Nets. Williams was taken No. 11 overall in the 2009 NBA draft, but seems to lack the disciple needed to be an NBA star.
Look for Kevin Martin to have a big game against the Grizzlies tonight. Martin is averaging 24 points during the Rockets six game home winning streak, and has torched the Grizzlies for 30 points a game in his last 12 meetings with Memphis. Martin and point guard Kyle Lowry each had 28 points against the Grizzlies earlier this season.
Houston is 7-4 ATS at home this season, while the Grizzlies are 8-5 ATS on the road this season. With the spread sitting at just four points, I think your money has to be on the Rockets to win this game and cover the spread. Houston has won 23 of 28 games at Memphis since 1996.
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