NBA

Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle

Sportsbook Wire

The Houston Rockets (8-17) travel to FedExForum to take on the Memphis Grizzlies (15-11). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Grizzlies odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

The Rockets have been electric as of late. They were up big in the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks Friday, looking at their eighth straight win in the face after a 1-16 start to the season. Milwaukee made a strong second-half comeback to cover as 8.5-point favorites (the Bucks won by nine points).

That said, Houston is 13-11-1 ATS this season. The Grizzlies, who have played well without superstar G Ja Morant, are 16-10 ATS, the fourth-best cover rate in the league.

Memphis is coming off a strong win over the Los Angeles Lakers. This is the third win of a four-game home stint for the Grizzlies. They're 1-1 overall so far with a loss to the Mavs prior to that 13-point win over LA.

Rockets at Grizzlies odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:18 p.m. ET.

Money line: Rockets +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Grizzlies -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +7.5 (-105) | Grizzlies -7.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Rockets at Grizzlies key injuries

Rockets

SF Danuel House (ankle) questionable
PG Kevin Porter (thigh) questionable
SG Jalen Green (hamstring) out

Grizzlies

G Ja Morant (knee) out
F Brandon Clarke (knee) out

Rockets at Grizzlies odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Grizzlies 110, Rockets 107

Money line

PASS on the money line with a slight sprinkle on the Rockets (+290).

Houston has been hot (winning seven of the last eight games) and was leading for quite a while on the Bucks last night. The Rockets have oddly turned a corner, and it could be worth a fraction of a unit.

Against the spread

BET on the ROCKETS +7.5 (-105) as they continue to be disrespected. Over their last eight games, the Rockets rank third in true shooting percentage and third in offensive rating.

Led by C Christian Wood, this team is starting to figure it out, and without the inefficient guard play of Porter and Green, they're able to get more quality looks.

As for the Grizzlies, they're 7-3 in their last 10 games, and they've done it by strong rebounding.

Their offensive rebounding rate is over 33.5% of their last eight. The Rockets rank 13th in total rebounding over that span, so they should be able to limit Memphis big Steven Adams on the glass.

If they can do just that, the Rockets have a good chance to cover and even win.

Over/Under

BET on the UNDER 220.5 (-107) as the Rockets shooting is due to regress sooner or later.

While I still expect them to cover, their recent shooting compared to their season's shooting is worrisome. Also, the Grizzlies have been so dominant as of late because, of their last eight games, they have the second-best defensive rating.

Only the Warriors and Grizzlies have a rating under 100 over that stretch. They've put the clamps on teams defensively, and I expect them to limit the Rockets.

Without Morant, where the Grizzlies scoring will come from isn't clear and obvious either. Combine it all, and the Under feels good here.

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