The playoff race in the Western Conference is heating up, and there are some big games this week that will affect the standings. The Houston Rockets host the Memphis Grizzlies in one of these games in what could also be an extremely high-scoring affair. Memphis has been giving up a ton of points of late, and the Houston Rockets continue to be one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA. If you are a fan of great basketball and plenty of scoring then this is the game for you.
Memphis comes into this game reeling a bit, having lost three straight games. The Grizzlies are still holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but they have some work to do. Memphis comes in with a record of 28-29, which puts them in third place in the Southwest.
Houston has won four straight games to take control of the Southwest Division. The Rockets come into this game with a record of 37-20, and they are also climbing up the standings in the Western Conference. Houston is a very unique team, but they have plenty of talent.
Grizzlies Defense Letting Them Down
The Memphis Grizzlies have struggled on the defensive end of the floor of late, and it has been an issue all season as well. Memphis has allowed close to 115 points per game this season, and that’s going to be a problem against the explosive Rockets. The Grizzlies have a relatively young roster, and they aren’t always bought in on both ends. Memphis is scoring 112.8 points per game, and that should be enough to win on most nights.
Memphis leads the NBA with 27.1 assists per game this season, and a rookie point guard is a big reason for this number. Ja Morant is averaging 17.6 points and 6.8 assists per game this season, and he has a great shot to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Jaren Jackson and Dillon Brooks have both been terrific this season as well, and the Grizzlies aren’t afraid to speed up the tempo.
“Small Ball” Working For Rockets
The Houston Rockets decided to trade away their starting center at the trade deadline, and they are going to play the rest of the season without a big man. Houston comes into this game averaging 118.6 points per game, and they play at an extremely fast pace. The Rockets are making over 15 three point shots per game, and they won’t be afraid to shoot them in this game. Houston does allow about 114 points per game, but their offense can usually bail them out.
Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon are currently listed as day-to-day with minor injuries, and could both be out of the lineup for this game. Westbrook and Gordon combine for over 42 points per game, but the Rockets will still have James Harden on the floor. Harden leads the NBA with over 35 points per game, and he will be aggressive against a bad defense.
Rockets Too Explosive For Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the biggest surprise teams in the NBA this season, but things have been rough for them in the last few games. Memphis is going to have to find a way to get some stops if they are going to win this game, but that hasn’t been easy for them of late. Houston has decided to play small for the rest of the season, and the results have been good so far. The Rockets can really score the basketball, and this could be a huge game for their offense.
Bet the Houston Rockets over the Memphis Grizzlies in this Western Conference showdown on Wednesday night. Do so at www.PayPerHead247.com; our favorite pay per head bookie site.
