Two of the most interesting teams in the Western Conference will square off with each other tonight. The Houston Rockets are visiting Memphis for a game against the Grizzlies. Both teams are having excellent seasons so far. They are just behind the Thunder in the West.
Memphis big man, Jarren Jackson Jr, is having the best season of his NBA career. Jackson is the number option and the leader of the Grizzlies in the absence of Ja Morant. Morant has missed 18 straight games for the Grizzlies. Jarren Jackson Jr will likely be an all-star, again, in February. The Grizzlies are in the third spot in the Western Conference. One spot behind the Rockets. Memphis has a record of 24 wins and 13 losses.
Only two teams in the NBA have a better home record than Memphis. That would be Cleveland and Oklahoma. The Grizzlies have won eleven and lost four at home in the FedExForum. Their roster is stacked and they are doing just well without their big star, Ja Morant. Santi Aldama will miss the game. That goes for Marcus Smart too. Desmond Bane is questionable. The Rockets and the Grizzlies faced each other in the second game of the season. The Grizzlies lost that one, 108-128.
Houston has won two straight games against the Lakers (119-115) and the Wizards (135-112). The Rockets have won seven out of their last ten games. Houston’s away record is 11-5. The third best in the NBA. Only The Thunder and The Cavaliers have a better record on the road. The Rockets are second in the Western Conference standings with a record of 24 wins and 12 losses. The Rockets defense is better than the Grizzlies. Memphis' offense is better than Houston's, on the other hand.
Houston will miss their starting power forward Jabari Smith, for at least two months. That means that the hard playing Amen Thompson will start for Houston. Thompson has been very good as the sixth man for the Houston Rockets so far this season. If the game is close in the clutch, I believe that the Grizzlies have the advantage thanks to the home court and their fluent offense.
MEMPHIS VS HOUSTON
1.54
TOTAL (INCL OVERTIME) - UNDER 238.5
