Memphis Grizzlies at Houston Rockets
Saturday, 12/22/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: CSH
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -2.5
Current Betting Line: Memphis -1
Opening Total: 197
Current Total: 197.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Memphis has won four games in a row by holding opponents to 86 or less points, including a 92-82 victory over the Dallas Mavericks as 10.5-point home favorites, while going UNDER the total for a seventh consecutive time. The Grizzlies have been incredible on the defensive end all year, allowing a league-low 89.2 points per game. The team is led by forward Zach Randolph on both sides of the floor, scoring 17.1 points and grabbing 12.9 rebounds per game. Memphis is 32-12 ATS when playing on back-to-back days over the last two-plus seasons, which is important to note when looking over the pro basketball betting odds Saturday.
The Grizzlies are 6-4 on the road this season, but are 4-4 versus Western Conference opponents away from the FedExForum. Memphis picked up a 93-85 victory over Houston in the first meeting this season on Nov. 9, while the game went UNDER the posted total of 194. Randolph finished with 15 points and 14 boards in that affair, while the team’s leading scorer Rudy Gay poured in 21 points.
Houston has won back-to-back games against Eastern Conference foes, including a dominating 125-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers as eight-point home favorites last time out. The Rockets are 10-5 at the Toyota Center this year, but have a losing 3-4 mark versus conference rivals. It’s still important to note that the franchise has won the last 12 home games in this particular series. Houston is 11-24 ATS versus division opponents since 2010, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread.
The Rockets have compiled a remarkable 27-4 home record in December since 2008, while they currently rank second in the league in averaging 104.8 points per game. Guard James Harden is the ringleader of the offense, scoring 25.4 points per game, which includes a 33-point performance versus the 76ers. He has joined up with point guard Jeremy Lin to combine for 50-plus points in each of the last two games.
Sports bettors will likely back the Rockets due to the home team being 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings, while the Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to Houston.
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