Houston (26-12) at Memphis (18-22)
When: Tuesday, January 14th, 2020
Where: FedExForum,
Memphis, TN
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: NBA TV
Opening Odds: Houston -5/238
The young Memphis Grizzlies continue to shake off a rough start to the season and are creeping up the Western Conference standings. They seek their sixth straight victory on Tuesday when they host the Houston Rockets at FedExForum. Memphis began the season 6-16, but have now grabbed the eighth and final playoff spot currently in the conference, leading the Spurs by a tiebreaker, but are still 4.5 games behind No. 7 Oklahoma City. Power forward Jaren Jackson scored 21 points in Sunday’s 122-102 home win over Golden State and has topped 20 points in four straight games. The win improved Memphis to 3-0 on their current six-game homestand that has two more winnable games after Houston on Tuesday. Houston’s offense has picked it up in winning four of its last five games with the lone loss coming against Oklahoma City when they were held to 92. They bounced back after that by cruising to a 139-109 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook had 30 points and 10 assists to lead the charge. Houston got the better of Memphis in the first meeting back in November with a 107-100 road victory to make it six of seven in the series.
The Rockets cruised on Saturday despite center Clint Capela (heel) sitting out and is questionable for Tuesday contest, while power forward PJ Tucker (shoulder) is expected to play after leaving the Timberwolves game early. Houston star guard James Harden scored 32 on Saturday to get over 20,000 points for his career and poured in 44 against the Grizzlies earlier this season. Harden easily leads the NBA with a 37.7 scoring average and topped 40 points in four of the past nine games and 15 times overall this season. Shooting guard Eric Gordon, who sat out the OKC game, came back to score 17 points off the bench Saturday in 26 minutes. The Rockets begin a four-game homestand Wednesday versus Portland.
Center Jonas Valanciunas went off for a team-high 31 points and a season-high 19 rebounds in Sunday’s win over Golden State Warriors and should have a big game if Capela is unable to go for Houston. The young and talented backcourt of point guard Ja Morant and shooting guard Dillon Brooks combined for just 18 points, but the former dished-out 10 assists for his sixth double-double of the season. Brooks was averaging 21 points a game in his previous six contests, but was held to seven against the Warriors. Memphis’s long homestand continues with Cleveland on Friday.
I really like this Memphis team and they are playing well, but this line is too tempting for me. Yes, Houston has failed to cover their last four road games, but they matchup well with Memphis and should be able to cover this number.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Tuesday. He is 44-35-3 (57%) on the season!
Pick: Rockets -4.5
Rockets are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 2 days rest.
Rockets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games as a road favorite.
Rockets are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Rockets are 12-28-1 ATS in their last 41 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Rockets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.
Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Grizzlies are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
Grizzlies are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Grizzlies are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog.
Grizzlies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Tuesday games.
Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Rockets last 6 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-2 in Rockets last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 Tuesday games.
Under is 9-4 in Rockets last 13 games as a road favorite.
Under is 13-6 in Rockets last 19 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 9-1 in Grizzlies last 10 home games.
Over is 13-3 in Grizzlies last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 12-3 in Grizzlies last 15 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-2 in Grizzlies last 10 games following a straight up win.
Over is 8-2 in Grizzlies last 10 games as an underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Grizzlies last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 12-4 in Grizzlies last 16 overall.
Over is 12-4 in Grizzlies last 16 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-4 in Grizzlies last 15 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-4 in Grizzlies last 15 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-3 in Grizzlies last 11 games following a ATS win.
Over is 20-8 in Grizzlies last 28 games as a home underdog.
Over is 20-8 in Grizzlies last 28 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Rockets are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
