Rockets vs Grizzlies Picks: Houston ATS (-1) Best Bet on January 9
- Back the Rockets (-1) on the road vs the Grizzlies.
- Include the under (233.5) in your NBA betting picks.
- Bet $200 on these NBA picks, Get $450 Bonus on a first-time deposit!
Place your Bets on Rockets vs Grizzlies at BetUS Sportsbook!
The Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies clash on Thursday night at FedEx Forum in what promises to be a hard-fought Western Conference battle. Houston comes in riding high after dismantling the Wizards while Memphis is fresh off a solid win against the Mavericks.
With the Rockets favored by just one point and the total set at a juicy 234.5, we’re here to break it all down, make some NBA predictions and hopefully put some money in your pocket.
Houston vs Grizzlies Game Information
- Game: Houston Houston (24-12) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (24-13)
- Location: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
- Day/Time: Thursday, Jan 9, 8 p.m. ET
- Houston vs Grizzlies Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Monitor NBA news for injury updates before betting on this game.
Houston vs Grizzlies Top 2 NBA Predictions
1. Rockets ATS -1
The Houston Rockets are a team on the rise, and this matchup against Memphis feels like a golden opportunity to flex their muscles in a matchup of top-three Western Conference teams.. Houston’s defensive identity under Ime Udoka is no joke, as they hold opponents to 44.3% shooting—the second-lowest mark in the league, per NBA betting trends.
With Jalen Green playing like he’s trying to make the All-Star Game and Alperen Şengün putting up nightly double-doubles, Houston’s offense isn’t too shabby, either. Add in Amen Thompson’s recent emergence as a two-way menace, and the Rockets have a lot going for them.
On the other side, the Grizzlies are getting by on grit (and Jaren Jackson Jr. doing absolutely everything). Memphis might be welcoming back Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, but how effective will they be after injuries? Even if they’re at full strength, Houston’s well-oiled defense has a track record of shutting down star power.
Nobody:
Desmond Bane: pic.twitter.com/8FiKzckFit
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) January 1, 2025
This one-point spread is a gift. Per Rockets vs Grizzlies stats, Houston is 21-15 ATS this season, including 17-8-1 when favored by two points or more. Their +6.1 margin of victory speaks volumes about how well they’ve been performing, particularly in games they’re supposed to win.
Bet the Rockets to cover the NBA spread and suffocate the Grizzlies en route to a statement win.
2. Under 234.5
Sure, both teams have put up their fair share of high-scoring games this season, but let’s not get carried away. The Rockets are a defensive juggernaut, holding teams to the third-fewest points per game and absolutely shutting down fast-break opportunities. Even with the Grizzlies’ penchant for Overs (23 of 37 games have hit), this online bet feels destined to land below the total.
Houston’s style of play is built around controlling the pace. The Rockets force teams into inefficient half-court sets and make every possession a grind. The Memphis Grizzlies, while capable of scoring in bunches, aren’t exactly a well-oiled offensive machine without their full roster firing. And even if Morant and Bane suit up, there’s no guarantee they’ll be in peak form.
The combined average points of these two teams sit at 236, which looks scary at first glance. But dig a little deeper: their opponents have averaged a combined 221.5 points per game, a whopping 12 points below this total.
Houston has kept their own games even lower, with an average total of just 221.4. Expect a methodical, grind-it-out game where the defenses shine when making your NBA picks.
More NBA Picks Today January 9
Question Of The Day
Who will have the edge in the rebounding battle?
The Rockets get more boards than any other team in the league at a rate of 58.4 per game. Memphis, however, does rank second at 58.1.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
