NBA Betting Odds: Nets vs. Grizzlies, Rockets vs. Suns
Carrie Stroup here with your NBA betting odds for the Nets vs. Grizzlies and Rockets vs. Suns.
BROOKLYN NETS (21-30) at MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (38-13)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Memphis -13, Total: 190
The Nets look to avoid a third straight loss when they head to Memphis Tuesday and take on the Grizzlies.
The Nets went into Milwaukee Monday night and blew a 17-point lead to eventually lose 103-97 as 5.5-point road underdogs. Brooklyn has lost two straight games and six of its past 10 SU. The team has also lost three straight ATS. The Nets are really having trouble scoring the ball, averaging just 88.7 PPG over their past three games. This is not a team that prides itself on its offensive ability, but it will need to start putting up more points in order to stay in games.
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Memphis is coming off of an impressive 94-88 victory as three-point home favorites over the Hawks on Sunday. Memphis has won nine of its past 10 games SU and the team is 6-3-1 ATS in those games. The Grizzlies defense has been stifling recently, allowing just 85.3 PPG over the past six games. Their defense could really give this struggling Nets offense some issues on Tuesday.
When the teams met on Jan. 14, the Grizzlies won 103-92 as seven-point road favorites in Brooklyn. The Nets turned the ball over 18 times in that game and that type of sloppiness is not going to cut it against a Grizzlies team that does not beat itself. Over the past three seasons, Memphis is 3-2 SU and ATS when facing Brooklyn. The Nets, however, have won-and-covered in two of their past three trips to Memphis and are 4-1 ATS in their past five games at FedExForum as well.
The Nets are also an incredible 23-6 ATS in road games after failing to cover the spread in two or more consecutive games over the past three seasons. Memphis is 71-52 ATS after a game where they covered the spread in that same time period. SG Vince Carter (Ankle) is still sidelined indefinitely for the Grizzlies and Brooklyn is not currently dealing with any injuries. PF Kevin Garnett (rest), however, could sit the second night of this back-to-back for the Nets.
The Nets blew a big lead in Milwaukee on Monday and they’ll need to start winning some games or not only will they miss out on the playoffs, but they’ll also need to give their draft pick to the Hawks as a part of the Joe Johnson trade a few years back.
One player who is doing everything he can to keep this team afloat is PG Jarrett Jack (12.6 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG). Jack had 26 points (10-for-15 FG, 4-for-5 3PT), eight assists and four rebounds in 35 minutes against the Bucks. PG Deron Williams (13.0 PPG, 6.1 APG) has been battling injuries and inconsistency all season, and Jack has been as steady as could be at the point guard position for this team. He’ll need to attack PG Mike Conley (17.4 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG) on both ends of the floor, as he can’t afford to let him get comfortable. Jack had just 10 points and six assists the last time these teams met and he’ll need to be more effective in this one.
SG Joe Johnson (15.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.7 APG) also struggled the last time these teams met. Johnson had just eight points (3-for-12 FG, 2-for-5 3PT) in that game and he is this team’s go-to-guy offensively. If he can’t score at least 10 in this game then it’d be extremely difficult for the Nets to come away with a road victory.
C Brook Lopez (15.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG) has played well recently, averaging 16.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 2.0 BPG in 29.8 MPG in February. Lopez has the size to bang with this talented Grizzlies frontcourt and will need to hit the glass aggressively, as Memphis can really hurt its opponents with second chances.
C Mason Plumlee (10.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG) had 15 points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes in the loss to the Grizzlies on Jan. 14. He played extremely tough in that game and he will be a big part of helping keep Memphis off the boards. The Nets allowed the Grizzlies to grab 14 offensive rebounds in the last meeting between these teams and if that happens again, this game will not be close.
The Grizzlies are one of the hottest teams in basketball and PG Mike Conley is finally looking healthy after injuring his wrist a few weeks ago. The point guard played an impressive game against the Hawks on Sunday, finishing with 21 points (7-for-12 FG, 2-for-4 3PT, 5-for-5 FT), six assists and three steals in 33 minutes. Conley is now averaging 19.0 PPG over the past four contests and should be able to use his quickness to blow by Jarrett Jack and finish at the rim in this one. Conley had just six points in 24 minutes against the Nets in their last meeting, and he’ll need to avoid making careless mistakes this time around. He got himself into foul trouble early in the game on Jan. 14 and he can’t afford to do that again.
PF Zach Randolph (16.8 PPG, 12.1 RPG) had 20 points and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes in the last meeting between these teams. Randolph is averaging 15.0 PPG and 12.6 RPG over the past five contests, but he has not shot the ball well in those games (39% FG). The Grizzlies will need him to start being more efficient with his touches and he should be able to do so against a Nets defense that can be soft inside.
C Marc Gasol (18.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 BPG) had 18 points and eight rebounds the last time these teams met. Gasol is somebody that should really be able to dominate this Nets team. Brook Lopez is not a good defender at his position and Gasol will need to be more aggressive as a scorer in this game. He played well against the Hawks on Sunday, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 36 minutes.
SF Jeff Green (16.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG) struggled against the Hawks, scoring just 11 points (3-for-10 FG, 1-for-3 3PT) on poor shooting and will need to knock down some shots for the Grizzlies in this one. They brought him in to be a reliable fourth scoring option and he will be a major factor in whether or not this team can break through in the playoffs.
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HOUSTON ROCKETS (35-16) at PHOENIX SUNS (29-24)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Phoenix -1.5, Total: 216.5
Two of the highest scoring offenses in the game meet on Tuesday night in the desert for what should be an exciting game from start to finish.
Houston has remained one of the more dominant teams in the Western Conference despite numerous injuries to its big men and has come away with a victory in six of its past eight games (5-3 ATS). They’ve maintained a healthy offensive presence in those contests, scoring 102.5 PPG as their defense has held opponents under 100 points four times. The Rockets were unable to get a win in their most recent game though, a 109-98 defeat as 4.5-point favorites at home against the Portland Trail Blazers. Houston just didn’t have the depth as James Harden scored nearly half of the team’s points (46) and could not hold off the All-Star duo of Lillard and Aldridge who combined for 47 of their own points. Overall, Portland made 52.6% of its shots and showed how much depth matters as they outscored the Rockets 28-18 in the final quarter.
The Suns offense has looked deflated recently as they they’ve faced Western Conference opponents in each of their last five games and gone a woeful 1-4 SU (2-3 ATS). Their offense has put up just 91.6 PPG in that time and they are coming off their worst scoring performance of the season when they lost to the Kings by a score of 85-83 on Sunday night. Phoenix was 7.5-point favorites on the road against Sacramento, who had lost six straight at home, but could not overcome Cousins’ big night (26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks), which also included a game-winning, two-point jumper as time expired. The Suns made a meager 33-of-91 shots (36% FG) in the poor showing and looked lost from behind the arc (5-of-28).
Houston has been nearly as good on the road as they are at home as evidenced by their 16-8 SU record (12-12 ATS) and they will be going up against a Phoenix team which is 16-10 SU (14-12 ATS) when in front of its hometown faithful. The Rockets have been able to get wins in each of the first two meetings between these clubs this year, winning by an average of just 4.0 PPG. They are coming off a 113-111 win in their last matchup when Houston was able to make 52.4% of its shots in a contest where they were getting two points on the road. Since the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign, this Rockets club has been able to go 6-3 SU (5-4 ATS) against the Suns and have hit triple-digits in all but one of those games.
Bettors should be aware that Houston is 12-3 ATS (80%) after one or more consecutive losses this year as Phoenix has managed a record of 42-22 ATS (66%) after playing a road game in the past two seasons. The Rockets continue to deal with a tough injury to C Dwight Howard (Knee) who has missed 19 games so far this season and the Suns have C Alex Len (Ankle) listed as doubtful.
It has been a successful season on the offensive end for the Rockets and they are netting 102.8 PPG (7th in league) behind 43.9% shooting (9th-worst in league). They have been able to combine that with a solid defense which is allowing 99.3 PPG (13th in league) on 44.3% shooting. SG James Harden (27.5 PPG, 6.8 APG, 5.6 RPG, 2.0 SPG) has no problems carrying this team but was unable to give enough against the Blazers the last time out despite putting up a gaudy line (45 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals). He’s had a double-double in each game against Phoenix this year, but has made a mere 13-of-39 shots (33% FG) as he scored 24.0 PPG.
SF Trevor Ariza (12.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 SPG) has really had issues with his shot, making a career-low 38% of his field goal attempts as he comes off a decent yet unspectacular all-around effort (9 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals) against the Blazers. He’ll be happy to see the Suns again after averaging 15.0 PPG and 6.5 RPG in two games this season.
SF Josh Smith (12.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG) has been seeing more playing time as he adjusts to the system in Houston and has scored 15.0 PPG on 55% shooting (11-for-20) in his last two games. He’s played against Phoenix three times this year, twice with the Pistons and once with his new team, and had a solid 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting, but turned the ball over six times in the win with the Rockets.
The Suns have been a great offense for years now and this season is no different as they are putting up 105.7 PPG (5th in league) on 46% shooting from the floor (8th in league). They have been unable to keep up on the defensive end though, and are giving up 104.3 PPG (3rd-worst in league) with opponents making 45.4% of their shots (11th-worst in league).
PG Eric Bledsoe (16.9 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 SPG) missed the last game as he attended the birth of his daughter but is expected to play in this one and has made 51% of his shots over his last four performances. He has been spectacular against the Rockets this year and had a near triple-double (25 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists) in their last meeting.
SG Goran Dragic (16.1 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG) hasn’t been much of a factor on offense in the last three contests, scoring 10.3 PPG (44% FG) as he dished out 5.3 APG. He was on the court for a mere 18 minutes the last time these clubs faced off and he had just two points and two assists against his former team.
PF Markieff Morris (15.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG) questioned what a foul really is anymore after the loss to Sacramento on Sunday, but he should worry more about his performance as he was a putrid 3-for-20 from the field, putting up eight points and four rebounds in the process. He should be able to bounce back as he scored 21 points to go with four rebounds in his last matchup with Houston.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
