Dive into our expert Same Game Parlay Pick for the Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies game! Maximize your betting potential with our top tips and insights.
Oklahoma City is clearly the best team in the Western Conference, but the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies aren’t that far behind the Thunder. The Rockets and the Grizzlies are currently No. 2 and No. 3 in the standings, as Houston has used a three-game winning streak to move ahead of Memphis in the table. Neither one of these teams is seen as a true title contender yet, but that could change over the second half of the season.
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Currently, Memphis is listed at 28-1 to win the title and Houston is right behind at 30-1 per the NBA futures odds. However, while the Grizzlies are currently seen as a more likely title contender than the Rockets, they have yet to beat them in three tries this campaign. Houston dismantled Memphis in the first tilt between these teams back in late October. The Rockets dominated the glass in that game with 23 offensive rebounds, resulting in seven Houston players scoring at least 11 points in a 128-108 victory.
These teams played twice in the span of five days in the middle of this month too, but both of those contests were much closer with the Rockets winning by a combined six points. Alperen Sengun was the star of the second meeting with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, while Jalen Green finished with 42 points on 13 of 18 shooting in the third game between these two teams.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets SGP
It’s rare to see a coach instantly transform a culture, but Ime Udoka has done just that in Houston. After winning a total of 59 games in their previous three seasons, the Rockets finished 41-41 last year. Now, they are poised to end a five-year playoff drought with an exciting young team that could play spoiler in the West.
The Rockets have four potential stars that are 22 years old or younger. Jalen Green is currently the best of the bunch and leads the team with 21.2 PPG. Alperen Sengun has shown that he can be a lite version of Nikola Jokic by averaging 19.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, and 5.1 APG, and Jabari Smith Jr. has been a solid player when healthy. Surprisingly, Amen Thompson could end up being the best of the bunch though, and he lit up the defending champion Boston Celtics for 33 points in a 114-112 victory on Monday in Boston.
General manager Rafael Stone has some tough decisions ahead of next week’s trade deadline. Houston has been mentioned as a potential landing spot for a superstar player in a blockbuster deal with so many assets, but the Rockets may want to keep this young nucleus together for one more season before deciding what to do in the long-term.
Ja Morant has reinvigorated Memphis after playing in only nine games last year. He has been hampered by injuries and illnesses this season (only playing in 28 games thus far), but he is averaging 20.3 PPG and 7.5 APG as the most dangerous offensive weapon on the floor.
Morant’s absence last season also allowed Jaren Jackson Jr. to further develop on offense. Jackson has been one of the NBA’s best defenders since he came into the league in 2018, and he is currently averaging a career-high 22.8 PPG while making 49.9% of his field goals and 35.5% of his three-point attempts.
Some young players have helped carry the torch for the Grizzlies too. Seven-footer Santi Aldama is averaging 12.7 PPG and 6.8 RPG, and he has been more dangerous with the addition of rookie Zach Edey. Most NBA scouts didn’t think much of the 7’4 Edey despite being a two-time national player of the year at Purdue, but he has shown he has a place in the league and is averaging 9.6 PPG and 7.5 RPG. Even the undrafted Scotty Pippen Jr. has made a name for himself with this young team.
I think that Memphis will want to show a little something extra here. You don’t want to go winless against a potential playoff opponent in four tries during the regular season, so I believe there will be a little extra pep in the Grizzlies’ step for the second game of TNT’s national televised Thursday night doubleheader.
JA MORANT OVER POINT TOTAL
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES MONEYLINE
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