Event Details
- Date and Time: Thursday, January 30, 2025, 5:30 PM ET
- Venue: FedEx Forum, Memphis, USA
- Competition: NBA Regular Season Game
Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets Preview and Team News
Memphis Grizzlies Team News
The Memphis Grizzlies have continued to show why they are the third seed in the Western Conference, as they’re fresh off their first loss in 7 games, with many of their wins against decent teams. With Jaren Jackson Jr. providing some much-needed scoring alongside Ja Morant, their offensive pressure has exploded this year, with some solid defence to go along with it.
Jackson Jr. has been leading the team in scoring, averaging a solid 22.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks a night, with Ja trailing just at 20.7 points and 7.7 assists per contest.
Memphis may not be as deep as the Rockets going into the game on Thursday, but if they can keep the Rockets off the board and make them shoot plenty of threes; they should have a solid shot at walking away with a dub.
Houston Rockets Team News
Houston has been one of the most confusing teams to watch this year, with terrible shooting splits across the board but one of the strongest defences in the league. There isn’t a single place on the floor where the Rockets have managed to shoot at an elite level, but with their ability to draw fouls, high tempo, and hounding defense, they’ve found themselves as the number 2 seed in the West.
Moreover, the Rocket’s success has been a true team effort, with 8 players averaging over 10 points a night. Jalen Green leads the pack with 21.4 points a night while Alperen Sengun has been a force down low with 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
Even when you count them out, they seem to have a shot based solely on their defensive presence, so as long as they manage to slow Memphis on the inside, they should have a solid shot at winning.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets Prediction
- Pick: Houston Rockets to win
- Score prediction: Memphis Grizzlies 125- 132 Houston Rockets
With the Houston Rockets fresh off of two back-to-back wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers, they have all of the momentum going into Thursday’s match, as they managed to be the juggernaut from the East. With their underwhelming shooting continuing, they managed to grind out the Cavs in both games, sitting with them down the stretch until pulling away in the fourth.
Jalen Green continued to lead the squad in scoring, while Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet provided a ton of supplementary scoring and energy. Sengun, in particular, has been super active on the offensive boards, capitalizing on his team’s less-than-ideal shooting splits from everywhere on the floor.
ALPEREN SENGUN IN THE CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/xQxSWJwKl7
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 28, 2025
Moreover, Amen Thompson crashed for rebounds incredibly hard, which could be a real problem for the Grizzlies, as even their 7-footer, Santi Aldama, doesn’t rebound all that well. It should be a real slugfest down the stretch.
On Memphis’s side of things, Ja Morant will likely have no problem shaking off Fred VanVleet with his shifty movement, scoring easy baskets, and setting up his teammates. Jaren Jackson Jr. may have a slightly harder time getting to the basket with Houston’s hard-nosed defenders, but if they give him any space, he’ll torch them.
On the defensive side of things, they will need to lock in on the boards, with guys like Zach Edey likely getting some more time on the floor due to his size; as long as they manage to limit second chances, Houston’s abysmal shooting percentages should spell the end of the game.
ZACH EDEY DUNKS ON WEMBY 🤯😤 pic.twitter.com/B8dAKs2FIX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2025
It should be one of the better games of the night, all things considered, as it could really go either way. The win condition seems simple enough for both squads, but it will come down to who executes better down the stretch.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets Prediction, Betting Tip
- Pick: Ja Morant to score to score 20.5 or more
Going into the game against the Rockets, Morant will likely have an increased usage rate, as Houston’s inside defence has been decent, and while their perimeter defence is still elite, almost nobody in the NBA can stay in front of Morant. 20.5 points or more really isn’t a large stretch considering the scoring outbursts he showcases from time to time.
- Pick: Fred VanVleet to score 17.5 or more
Over the last month and a half, VanVleet has been playing above his season averages, with 17.3 points per game over the last 10. Moreover, he is a crunch-time player, sealing plenty of games with deep threes. Going into Thursday’s matchup, he’s going to be hungry for a win, easily pushing him past that 17.5 mark.
Where to Watch (USA, Canada)
- NBA League Pass,ESPN+, Fubo (USA)
- TSN, Sportsnet (Canada)
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