The Houston Rockets (43-29) and Memphis Grizzlies (24-48) will square off in the NBA this Friday. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The game will broadcast live on SCHN.
The Rockets are 13.5-point favorites over the Grizzlies on the spread (Rockets -13.5), with the over/under set at 227.5 total points. Houston is a -950 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Memphis is +640 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Grizzlies predictions and NBA picks for Friday, March 27.
Rockets vs Grizzlies Prediction
- Rockets vs Grizzlies pick: Amen Thompson Over 25.5 Points & Rebounds (-106)
My Grizzlies vs. Rockets best bet is on Amen Thompson to combine for over 25.5 points and rebounds. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Rockets vs Grizzlies NBA Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -106 | 227.5 -112o / -108u | -950 |
| Grizzlies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -114 | 227.5 -112o / -108u | +640 |
Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies Preview
I'm taking Amen Thompson to combine for over 25.5 points and rebounds tonight against a Grizzlies team that is leaking oil terribly at the defensive end of the floor.
I considered isolating the rebounds in this spot, and even considered taking some alternate rebounding lines for Thompson here because Memphis has just been brutal.
However, the Grizzlies have been allowing a ton of points lately. So ultimately, that's why I decided to include the points prop in this combo as well.
The Grizzlies have allowed over 123 points in three straight games now — surrendering 123 against San Antonio, 146 against Atlanta, and 124 against Houston.
The rebounding numbers have also been highly favorable for opposing teams. The Grizzlies are allowing a bunch of offensive rebounds, which should bode well for Thompson in this spot. He does play some point guard for the Rockets, but make no mistake about it, he's also a pretty good offensive rebounder.
Thompson has actually had the most rebound opportunities per game for the Rockets in their last 10 games, which is interesting for the role that he plays. He's one of the more aggressive rebounding wings in the league. I think this is a good spot for him to potentially put a double-double on the board via points and rebounds.
Plus, I think Thompson is seeing the biggest uptick in the rebounds due to the absence of Steven Adams.
Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith have just been posting the same numbers as usual. Sengun wasn't playing too much with Adams.
However, in terms of a boost from where their regular baseline would be, and especially adding in the fact that the Rockets recently moved Tari Eason to the bench, I think Thompson will continue to be the biggest beneficiary.
Action PRO projects Thompson to combine for 28.7 points and rebounds in tonight's game against the Grizzlies.
Rockets vs Grizzlies Picks, Betting Predictions
This should continue to be a good matchup and role for Thompson, even though the Rockets are playing a lot of big lineups with Smith and Sengun. Pushing Eason to the bench has allowed Thompson to step into more of a rebounding role.
Eason was playing a pretty big two-guard role here for this team when he was starting. So, with Eason now fulfilling the sixth-man role, it has naturally boosted Thompson's rebounding numbers.
It's really no surprise that Thompson has recorded 9+ rebounds in five of his last seven games — while grabbing 11+ rebounds in four of those contests.
Amen has been fantastic on the boards as of late, and he projects well here. So, I like him to record over 25.5 points & rebounds tonight against the Grizzlies.
Rockets vs Grizzlies Best Bet
- Amen Thompson Over 25.5 Points & Rebounds (-106, FanDuel)
Rockets vs Grizzlies Betting Trends
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