Memphis Grizzlies at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Monday, December 31, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 5 point favorites.

The Grizzlies have a record of 18-17. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of -0.2 as they average 101.8 points per game while giving up 102.0 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 20-15. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They total 109.8 points per contest and give up 108.5, which is a point differential of 1.3.

Valuable Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 17-18-0 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 13-21-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 17-17-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 18-16-0 against the over/under

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

10/27/18 SF Chandler Parsons Knee is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/30/18 G Eric Gordon Knee injured last game, is downgraded to OUT Monday vs Memphis
12/30/18 SF James Ennis III Hamstring is upgraded to questionable Monday vs Memphis
12/21/18 PG Chris Paul Hamstring is out indefinitely
11/15/18 SF Carmelo Anthony Possible Trade is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Marc Gasol averages 16.2 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest. He averages 4.5 assists per contest and 8.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%. Mike Conley comes into this contest averaging 20.5 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon averages 15.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.4 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 78%. James Harden averages 33.0 points per game while playing 36.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and has 8.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies allow 102.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 20th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.6 rebounds a game which ranks 16th, and they give up 22.9 assists per contest which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league. Memphis averages 101.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 39.4 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 30th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 108.5 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 22.1 assists allowed per contest, and 4th with 43.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game. Houston is 19th in the league with 109.8 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 42.0 boards per game and 27th in assists per contest with 21.1. The Rockets are 20th in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 26th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.5, and their defensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 94.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 19th. As a team they are 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league. Memphis is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 13th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league. The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.8, and their defensive rating of 112.5 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league.

Who will win tonight's Grizzlies/Rockets NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -5.5

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