The Houston Rockets (41-19) are hot on the heels of the Memphis Grizzlies (42-17), who are currently second in the Western Conference standings. Memphis is just ahead of the Rockets by half a game, and a win later tonight will give the Grizzlies some much-needed breathing room. Will the Grizzlies fend off Houston? Or will the Rockets move closer to displacing Memphis in the No. 2 spot in the conference?
In another intriguing matchup, the Cavaliers cross the border to play the Raptors. Click here for a preview of that game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Where: Toyota Center, Houston
When: Wednesday, March 4, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (+3.5) at Houston Rockets (-3.5); total: 196.5 — view all NBA lines
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
Despite another loss, there’s no reason to panic for Memphis. That being said, the Grizzlies are definitely feeling the pressure to keep their hold of second place in the Western Conference after losing to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, 93-82. The Grizzlies have now lost three of their last four games.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Grizzlies can restore some measure of order, though, if they can deal Houston a loss in their next game. For sure, one of the highest priorities for Memphis tonight is its perimeter defense. The Grizzlies have given up 24 three-pointers to Houston in their last two meetings, which include the Rockets’ 14 treys in their 117-111 win in their latest matchup on December 26.
Tony Allen, who missed Tuesday’s game due to suspension, will be back in the fold tonight and he’ll certainly be busy chasing Houston’s shooters. Allen is Memphis’ top perimeter defender so expect him to be mostly assigned to James Harden, the Rockets’ most lethal scorer.
Unlike Allen, power forward Zach Randolph is questionable to play against Houston. Randolph didn’t play against the Jazz as he was down with an illness. If he’s ultimately unable to play, expect Kosta Koufos and Jon Leuer to see increased minutes as Marc Gasol’s partners down low. Koufos started and scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss to the Jazz. Leuer, meanwhile, came off the bench and finished with just two points and five rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
Gasol, the Grizzlies’ leading scorer with 18.2 PPG, was near unstoppable in the previous matchup with Houston. He scored 29 points in that game and added eight rebounds.
The Grizzlies are 7-3 in their last 10 road games.
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Betting on the Houston Rockets
The Rockets learned the hard way how big of a loss James Harden’s one-game suspension was when they lost to the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night, 104-96. But with Harden now back in harness, coach Kevin McHale will now have more confidence in his lineup entering their showdown with Memphis.
Harden sat out the Atlanta game as a punishment for his kick on LeBron James in the Rockets’ 105-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. His absence definitely put a dent on the Rockets’ offense that scored just 15 points in the fourth quarter, a big step down from their average of 23.8 points in the last period this season. That’s unlikely to be a problem for Houston against the Grizzlies, though, with the bearded scoring machine back on the floor. Harden, who scored 32 points in the Rockets’ late-December win over Memphis, is leading the NBA in scoring with 26.5 PPG.
Terrence Jones (12.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 BPG) and Donatas Motiejunas (11.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG) will also play important roles later tonight. With Dwight Howard still out, the rebounding chores and the task of containing Memphis’ frontcourt will fall heavily on their shoulders.
The Rockets are 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Memphis (+3.5) wins, 99-98.
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