Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Best Bets

The Houston Rockets host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight in a homecoming game, and we have our three best bets before tipoff.
In this story:

The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Texas to take on the Houston Rockets tonight in the Toyota Center. The Grizzlies are among the league’s worst teams, and the Rockets are sitting at .500, trying to make a playoff push.

This game marks Dillon Brooks’ first matchup against his old team, and he has already begun to talk some trash about the struggling Grizzlies.

On the court, Alperen Şengün has been making his first All-Star case, and Houston has been benefiting heavily from home-court advantage, only losing one game at home so far this season.

The Rockets continue to be without Amen Thompson and Victor Oladipo. The Grizzlies are much more shorthanded, playing without Steven Adams, Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart, and Xavier Tillman.

The Rockets are favored in this game, so let’s look at the lines powered by SI Sportsbook, and our best bets.

Rockets guard Jalen Green shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) defends during the first half at FedExForum.
Rockets guard Jalen Green shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) defends during the first half at FedExForum / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Lines

Point spread: Grizzlies +4.5 (-105)/Rockets -4.5 (-118)

Moneyline: Grizzlies (+160)/Rockets (-200)

Over/under: 213.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Dillon Brooks OVER 16.5 total points, rebounds, and assists (-137)

You could draw Brooks’ over/under wherever you want, and the over would still be the smart pick. More than anyone else in the NBA, Brooks is petty and would want to prove that Memphis made a mistake letting him walk, regardless of whether the grass is greener in Texas. Brooks averages 19.7 points, rebounds, and assists this season, and there is no way he will put a subpar performance forward tonight.

Opponent pick: Jaren Jackson Jr. OVER 6.5 rebounds (+100)

Jaren Jackson Jr. is not a great rebounder, but someone has to snag missed shots tonight. Houston is the 11th-worst rebounding team in the league, while the Grizzlies are seventh-worst. Jackson Jr. is only grabbing 6.2 boards per night but snagged eight in a recent loss to Boston. Expect him to keep putting up numbers.

Ime Udoka Explains Benching Jalen Green vs. Warriors

Team pick: Rockets to win (-200)

The Rockets have not lost in Houston since the third game of the season. Sure, they’re riding a three-game losing streak, but they are rested and back in familiar territory. Plus, Memphis is a horrible basketball team this year. Treat yourself before Thanksgiving and take a low-stress bet on your favorite team. Don’t worry about points, just watch the Rockets win.


Published
Jonah Kubicek
JONAH KUBICEK

Jonah Kubicek has been writing about the NBA since 2021, covering the Pistons, Jazz, Spurs, Magic, Rockets, and Knicks. As a lifelong Spurs fan living in Michigan, he never misses an opportunity to bring up the 2005 NBA Finals (you should have guarded Horry!). He is a long-suffering Tigers fan and closely follows the NFL, although he never found an affinity for the Lions. Jonah graduated from Oakland University with a degree in History and spends his spare time playing tennis or reading. Follow Jonah on Twitter for updates on Tre Jones and other NBA news.