Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets Predictions, NBA Picks Against the Spread 2/26/2020

Game: Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets

Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV: AT&T Sportsnet - Southwest

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Toyota Center is the venue where Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets (37-20, 1st in the Southwest Division) will take on the Memphis Grizzlies (28-29, 3rd in the Southwest Division) on Wednesday. Houston opens this game as 5 point favorites. The O/U opens at 222.

The Grizzlies cover 53.6% of the time, having gone 30-26-1 ATS. Houston is covering 49.1% of the time, going 28-29-0 against the spread.

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

02/24/20 PF Brandon Clarke Hip is questionable Wednesday vs Houston
02/23/20 F Jaren Jackson Jr. Knee is out 2-3 weeks
01/27/20 SG Grayson Allen Hip is out indefinitely
01/13/20 SF Justise Winslow Back is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

02/24/20 PG Russell Westbrook Thumb is questionable Wednesday vs Memphis
02/24/20 SG Eric Gordon Knee left last game, is questionable Wednesday vs Memphis

Player Spotlight

Ja Morant averages 17.6 points per game in 29.8 minutes per contest. He averages 6.8 assists per contest and 3.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%. Jonas Valanciunas comes into this contest averaging 14.4 points per game while playing 25.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 10.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 58% while his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 35.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 36.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.4 rebounds per contest and 7.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Russell Westbrook averages 27.2 points per game while playing 36.0 minutes per contest. He grabs 7.9 rebounds per game and has 7.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies allow 114.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.0 rebounds a game which ranks 13th, and they give up 25.0 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league. Memphis averages 112.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.1 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 46.0 rebounds per game and 27.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 114.2 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.4 assists allowed per contest, and 26th with 46.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game. Houston is 2nd in the league with 118.6 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 45.3 boards per game and 29th in assists per contest with 21.5. The Rockets are 20th in turnovers per game with 14.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.2, and their defensive rating of 111.2 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 12th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Memphis is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 16th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.9, and their offensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 15th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 8th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Memphis +5

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