Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets Prediction: Can Rockets Defense Limit Desmond Bane, Grizzlies?
The Houston Rockets will host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Will either team be able to put up points in this low-scoring clash? Ben Rajavuori provides his analysis on the total in Grizzlies vs. Rockets.
Ben Rajavuori - December 13, 2023, 4:50 PM EST
5 minMemphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets Prediction: Can Rockets Defense Limit Desmond Bane, Grizzlies?
The Houston Rockets host the Memphis Grizzlies from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, with a very low total. While all the other games are in the 230s and even one in the 250s, the Rockets/Grizzlies game is sitting at the low total of 211.5, which has come down from the opening line of 213. Seeing a total of 211.5 in the NBA is always jarring, given the scoring we see in this day and age. Is this total too low?
Grizzlies vs. Rockets Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 13, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets Prediction
This kind of score is nothing new for the Rockets, who have gotten wins with great defense all year. The Rockets have battled back above .500 with a record of 10-9, and the last time we saw them play, they beat the Spurs 93-82, with a final total of 175 points. They only gave up 106 points to the Nuggets the game before that and 101 to the Thunder the game before that. The Rockets are currently rated 2nd in the league in defensive rating and are giving up the least points per game in the league on average at 105.6 points per game allowed. They are allowing opponents to shoot just 43.6% from the field, which is the 2nd-lowest field goal percentage allowed in the league.
On the other side, the Grizzlies play pretty good defense themselves. The Grizzlies rank 11th in defensive rating, and they are giving up just 112 points per game. Derrick Rose has taken over as an excellent perimeter defender as he fills in for Ja Morant until he comes back. However, the Grizzlies have struggled on offense, mostly due to the fact that Ja Morant is still suspended. Morant comes back next week finally, but the Grizzlies have not looked like the same team without him. On top of that, Desmond Bane, the leading scorer for the Grizzlies with 24.8 points per game, is now questionable tonight with an illness.
Both of these teams also prefer a slower pace. The Rockets rank 28th in pace, while the Grizzlies rank 19th. The Rockets play a slow game and set their offense up while stuffing opponents' offenses. Both defenses are top 10 in points allowed, and both offenses aren't very explosive in their current form. It's easy to see why this total opened so low and is dropping. I like taking the under here down to 210.
Pick: Rockets/Grizzlies Under 211.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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