Grizzlies vs Rockets Pick: Memphis Aims To Cool Off Houston (Jan 30)

• The Grizzlies are 31-16 and have the second-best record in the Southwest Division.
• Houston is 32-14 and occupies the top spot in the same division.
• These teams last played on Jan. 13, with the Rockets claiming a 120-118 victory.

One of the games on tap from Thursday night’s NBA slate features the Memphis Grizzlies hosting the Houston Rockets. Will Memphis get back into the win column in our Grizzlies vs Rockets pick?

Memphis Aims To Bounce Back From Abysmal Loss Against The Knicks

Following a 120-118 setback against the Rockets on Jan. 13, the Grizzlies reeled off six straight victories. The streak ended unceremoniously thanks to a 143-106 drubbing at the hands of the New York Knicks.

Jared Jackson Jr. did his part, leading the way with 21 points, four rebounds, and two blocks on 8-for-14 shooting from the floor. He also knocked down three of his four attempts from 3-point range.

Desmond Bane added 16 points and four assists. Meanwhile, the team’s second-leading scorer — Ja Morant — was held to 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the floor.

Memphis trailed 60-52 at the break. But thanks to a 14-2 run that stretched from late in the second quarter until the start of the third, New York extended the lead to 67-52.

In addition to outscoring Memphis by an 83-54 margin in the second half, New York also put up 143 points in back-to-back games for the first time in 45 years.

Houston Shooting For Fifth Straight Win

On the other side of this matchup, the Rockets enter this conference tilt on the heels of a 100-96 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

Jalen Green spearheaded a scoring effort in which four starters reached double figures. He finished with 25 points, seven boards, and two steals.

Alperen Sengun chipped in with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Both Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson contributed 11 points apiece.

Atlanta trailed 98-96 with 46 seconds to play in regulation. However, De’Andre Hunter missed from 3-point range with 12 seconds left.

Sengun broke free for a dunk on the ensuing possession, sealing the win for Houston.

Grizzlies vs Rockets Pick: Houston Gets The Season Sweep

The Grizzlies have won six of their last seven contests. They lead the league in scoring while boasting the fifth-best offense in the NBA.

Meanwhile, the Rockets have produced five wins across their previous seven outings. Yes, Houston is a mediocre squad from an offensive standpoint.

On the other hand, the Rockets have the fifth-best scoring defense (108.2 PPG) and the fourth-lowest defensive rating (108.8 Points Per 100 Possessions).

The Rockets have won the previous three matchups in this series, so look for that trend to continue.