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Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets Prediction, Preview and Odds - 03/01/2023

by Rod Pearson

Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Venue:  Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Where to Watch:  BSSE


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Grizzlies -10, Rockets +10; Over/Under:  233.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Grizzlies -10, Rockets +10; Over/Under:  233.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Grizzlies -10, Rockets +10; Over/Under:  233.5 points

Season Record

Memphis Grizzlies:  36-23 (1st place, Southwest Division)
Houston Rockets:  13-47 (5th place, Southwest Division)

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Recent Form
Memphis Grizzlies:  5-5 last 10
Houston Rockets:  1-9 last 10


Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets Preview and Analysis


The Grizzlies are coming into this game with a 36-23 record overall and they are 11-18 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They still have a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night that needs to be played first as this is the 2nd leg of a back-to-back for them on Wednesday. They are entering this game off of a win against the Denver Nuggets in their last game. Ja Morant led the team in points in that game with 23 while Tyus Jones was next on the team with 17 points. Tyus Jones led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Brandon Clarke led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 47.4% from the field, 34.1% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.9 PPG against them. The Grizzlies have an ATS record of 27-30-2 this season and their O/U record is 25-32-2.



The Rockets are coming into this game with a 13-47 record overall and they are 8-20 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They still have a game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night that needs to be played first as this is the 2nd leg of a back-to-back for them on Wednesday. They are entering this game on a 9 game losing streak with losses coming against the Toronto Raptors, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Sacramento Kings twice in a row, the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Thunder again, the Golden State Warriors, and the Portland Trail Blazers in their last game. Alperen Şengün and Jae'Sean Tate led the team in points in that game with 17 while Daishen Nix was next on the team with 16 points. Alperen Şengün led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Alperen Şengün and Tari Eason each led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 45% from the field, 26.9% from 3-point range, and 68% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 109.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 118.3 PPG against them. The Rockets have an ATS record of 23-35-2 this season and their O/U record is 29-30-1.


Grizzlies vs Rockets Prediction

The current betting odds have the Grizzlies listed as a 10 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Grizzlies have been having a great season as they are one of the best teams in the West right now with their 36-23 record overall. They haven't been great in their road games though as they are only 11-18 but they have a much better team than their opponent here and both are in a bad situation so the Grizzlies should have no trouble pulling away in this game. The Rockets have been terrible all season with their 13-47 record overall making them one of the worst teams in the West and in the entire NBA this season. They haven't even been good in their home games with an 8-20 home record and they have no momentum at all with 9 losses in a row now. Both of these teams are going to be on back-to-backs here too but the Grizzlies have a lot more talent and depth on their team that they will be able to take advantage of a tired Rockets team and use this game as a way to boost themselves in the West as they fight for the number 1 seed. The best way to place a bet here is on the Grizzlies to cover the spread in this game. 

Grizzlies Rockets Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Grizzlies 133 Rockets 117.
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NBA Betting Trends


Memphis Grizzlies: 33-23 ATS as a road favorite. 23-10 UNDER when the total is greater than or equal to 230. 24-10 UNDER in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 230.
Houston Rockets: 9-20 ATS when the total is greater than or equal to 230. 38-64 ATS in home games. 100-65 UNDER when the total is greater than or equal to 230.

Key Injuries


Memphis Grizzlies:  S. Adams (C) Early April - Knee.
Houston Rockets:  J. Tate (SF) Out Tues - Ankle. J. Green (SG) Prob Tues - Groin. K. Porter Jr. (SG) Out indefinitely - Foot.


Notable Quotes


“One of the biggest priorities was transition defense. I thought our urgency was phenomenal.” - Taylor Jenkins after his team’s win against the Nuggets in their game on Saturday.


“It's not like we didn't give effort, he made some really tough shots. But we need everyone to give effort on the defensive end.” - Stephen Silas after his team’s loss against the Trail Blazers in their game on Sunday.


Starting Lineups


Memphis Grizzlies
PG Ja Morant
SG Desmond Bane
SF Dillon Brooks
PF Jaren Jackson Jr.
C Xavier Tillman

Houston Rockets
PG TyTy Washington Jr.
SG Jalen Green
SF Kenyon Martin Jr.
PF Jabari Smith Jr. 
C Alperen Sengun

Statistical Leaders


Memphis Grizzlies
PPG: J. Morant (27)
APG: J. Morant (8.1)
Reb/G: S. Adams (11.5)

Houston Rockets
PPG: J. Green (21.8)
APG: K. Porter Jr. (5.6)
Reb/G: A. Sengun (8.8)

Coaches:
Memphis Grizzlies: Taylor Jenkins (4th season)
Houston Rockets: Stephen Silas (3rd season)