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Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Free NBA Pick (Feb. 4)

NBA betting preview and free pick for tonights NBA matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies . The Rockets are currently a 5.5-point favorite…

Houston at Memphis – Off Key in the Music City

BetUS NBA Basketball Betting Odds: HOUSTON -5.5, Total 195

Here are some of the NBA pro basketball sports betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* HOU has won eight of its last 12 games SU
* HOU has played four of its last five games UNDER the total * HOU has lost seven of its last ten road games SU
* HOU has played four of its last five road games UNDER the total
* MEM has lost 12 of its last 13 games SU
* MEM has covered one of its last 13 games
* MEM has lost its last seven home games SU
* MEM has lost its last seven home games ATS
* MEM has played four of its last five home games UNDER the total

Also…

* HOU has won four of the last five meetings SU
* HOU has had the shooting edge in eight of the last nine meetings

At this moment Memphis is the worst pointspread team in the NBA, having failed to cover the number in 12 of its last 13 games. This is one team that has not yet responded to the coaching move that brought Lionel Hollins in on an interim basis, though it must be said that in Monday night’s 113-97 win over an equally failing Washington team, rookie O.J. Mayo had his season (and career) high of 33 points. Memphis averages just over 93 points a game, and doesn’t defend – the 48% field goals the Grizzlies allow is second worst in the NBA.

Defense was a department the Rockets were expected to excel in at the season’s outset, although Houston hasn’t been a shutdown team. Ron Artest was acquired in the off-season, and has missed 13 games. Shane Battier, who like Artest is one of the best defensive forwards in the league, has missed 22 games.

Those guys, with Yao Ming in the middle, were going to put up a wall that opponents couldn’t penetrate. But Houston is allowing teams to shoot 45% from the field, which is not among the league leaders. The good news is that Artest and Battier are back in the rotation. Artest contributed 27 points five days ago against Golden State. Tracy McGrady, who has also missed a lot of action and suffered a sprained ankle last week, had 16 points and six assists in 28 minutes in the 107-100 win over Chicago on Tuesday night.

So all hands are pretty much on deck for Houston, as they face a Memphis team that has failed to come within double digits in 11 of its last 12 games. Lay the points with the Rockets, the 5.5-point favorite in the BetUS NBA pro basketball sports betting action.

Our PLAY: HOUSTON -5.5 **

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"