Rockets vs Grizzlies

On Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies will travel to the largest city in Texas to tip-off with the Houston Rockets. Without further ado, it is time to check out ...

To begin, the Rockets did a whole lot of good in their loss against the Hawks, but the one thing they struggled mightily with was their inability to hit enough of their three-point attempts. Still trying to figure out their identity, side with the Grizzlies in this one, and their ability to make plays when they matter most. Not to mention, Memphis will need to shoot more effectively as a whole as they only connected on 39% of their shots throughout the game. Although they failed to cover the spread against the Knicks on Wednesday, Memphis could be in store for a good ‘ole fashioned rout as they head out on the road for the first time this year. This was the case last season when Memphis stormed out of the gates to everyone’s surprise and not only punched their ticket to the playoffs, but was one of the top overall units in the entire game. Few could argue just how successful the Memphis Grizzlies were a season ago when they rattled off an abundant 56 wins and marched their way to the second overall seed in the Western Conference.

The Memphis Grizzlies are scheduled to face the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Here's how you can watch.

[Stephen Silas](https://nbacoaches.com/stephen-silas/) is the Houston Rockets head coach. [Why the Grizzlies believe they're contenders in loaded NBA](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/18/memphis-grizzlies-believe-they-are-nba-title-contenders-2022-23/69548366007/) [Taylor Jenkins](https://nbacoaches.com/taylor-jenkins/) is the Memphis Grizzlies head coach. [Memphis Grizzlies guard Danny Green joining ESPN in part-time role](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/19/danny-green-espn-memphis-grizzlies-part-time-role/69572733007/) [Ja Morant's next step, season predictions, concerns](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/18/memphis-grizzlies-season-preview-ja-morant-nba-predictions-jaren-jackson-jr-injury/69569919007/) [Ja Morant delivers highlight block, alley-oop in OT of Grizzlies opener](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/20/ja-morant-block-memphis-grizzlies-new-york-knicks/69576247007/) [beating the New York Knicks 115-112](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/grizzlies-podcast/2022/10/20/memphis-grizzlies-podcast-strong-start-to-season-touch-stretch-ahead/69577923007/) in overtime in their season opener on Wednesday.

The Rockets narrowly missed covering in Atlanta, but the line is a bit closer when Houston (+6.5) hosts Memphis in Friday's home opener.

- Grizzlies: Danny Green out (left knee surgery), Jaren Jackson Jr. We’ll take Houston to keep it close at home. As usual, Memphis is projected by most to be a Western Conference contender, whereas the rebuilding Rockets are again forecast by most observers to rank near the bottom. So, could the backing of tens of thousands of home fans put them over the top? We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at [BetMGM](https://gtly.to/uIBZwB74S).

Analyzing Friday's Memphis Grizzlies at Houston Rockets odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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With aspirations of becoming one of the league's best backcourts, Kevin Porter Jr. is looking forward to the Houston Rockets' home opener against Ja Morant ...

[host the 1-0 Memphis Grizzlies](https://www.si.com/nba/rockets/news/memphis-grizzlies-vs-houston-rockets-how-to-watch-lineups-injury-report-more) during their home opener for the 2022-23 season. Porter has notched 20.6 points and 6.6 assists in the 20 games that followed. We are coming in with the mindset to make each other better and to be the best backcourt." Friday night's home opener against the Grizzlies will be a measuring stick for Green and Porter when going up against Desmond Bane and Ja Morant. But their surprising win against the Grizzlies marked the beginning of Green and Porter finding their niche as a backcourt duo. "Jalen and I have a year under our belts playing together.

The Houston Rockets face the Memphis Grizzlies in their home opener Friday, ...

These are the odds, injury reports, and starters for the Rockets vs Grizzlies' October 21 matchup. Fernando was a surprise starter but played exceptionally well and should continue to get the starting nod over Alperen Sengun for the time being. The Grizzlies started Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, John Konchar, Santi Aldama, and Steven Adams against the New York Knicks. The Grizzlies already have a lengthy injury report. The Rockets' over/under for points is 112.5, and the Grizzlies' over/under for points is 119.5. [Houston Rockets](https://spacecityscoop.com/posts/3-takeaways-from-houston-rockets-2022-23-opener) face the Memphis Grizzlies in their home opener Friday, October 21.

The Memphis Grizzlies are starting their road slate against the Houston Rockets. Follow along for score updates from the game and Ja Morant's stats.

[ Ziaire Williams](https://www.nba.com/player/1630533/ziaire-williams) is out, and [ Dillon Brooks](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/18/memphis-grizzlies-injuries-williams-dillon-brooks-vs-ny-knicks/69572947007/) is listed as doubtful. [ injury report](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/18/memphis-grizzlies-injuries-williams-dillon-brooks-vs-ny-knicks/69572947007/) remains the same as before Wednesday. [Brandon Clarke talks Memphis Grizzlies extension, Jaren Jackson Jr. update, other practice notes](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/17/memphis-grizzlies-brandon-clarke-contract-extension-jaren-jackson-jr-update/69568828007/) [Memphis Grizzlies start the season strong ahead of tough stretch](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/grizzlies-podcast/2022/10/20/memphis-grizzlies-podcast-strong-start-to-season-touch-stretch-ahead/69577923007/) This is the first Grizzlies road game this season.

Ja Morant scored 49 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a win against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.

He finished a team-low minus-12 rating against the Knicks in 19 minutes. Despite his struggles, he made a big 3-pointer to tie the game at 110 in the fourth quarter. Houston called the timeout because of the Grizzlies' run, but it may have discussed if there was a possible way to guard Morant when he's scoring at all three levels. In particular, rookies Jake LaRavia and David Roddy looked more comfortable: Both players made multiple 3-pointers in the first half while helping the Grizzlies climb out of a 14-point deficit. He had 28 points in the second half against the Rockets (0-2). But once again, the Grizzlies called on their superstar, Ja Morant, to put on his superhero cape.

Ja Morant scores 49 points, as the Houston Rockets lose their second consecutive game in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Behind Alperen Sengun's contributions off the bench, the Rockets held a 70-62 lead over the Grizzlies at halftime. Four additional players scored in double figures for the Grizzlies. But the results remained the same as the Rockets sustained a 129-122 loss to the Grizzlies. Kevin Porter finished the game with 18 points and four assists. Morant scored 19 points during the third quarter. The Grizzlies won the third quarter by three points to set up an exciting finish during the fourth and final period of Friday's game.

The young guns put on a show as Memphis' Ja Morant erupts for 49 points while Houston's Jalen Green answers with 33.

Still, the Rockets extended their lead to 8 points by the break with Green posting 20 first-half points and Sengun pairing 13 points with 6 rebounds prior to the intermission. But when Morant exploded in the third quarter, the Rockets could do little to keep grasp of the momentum. When he returned from his final stretch of rest in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies led 111-110 with 7:41 remaining.

Visit ESPN for the game recap of the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets NBA basketball game on October 21, 2022.

… [Bruno Fernando](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277952/bruno-fernando) left the game in the fourth quarter with left knee soreness. [Kevin Porter Jr](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4397140/kevin-porter-jr). [Eric Gordon](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3431/eric-gordon) to get within five points with about two minutes to go. [Jalen Green](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4437244/jalen-green), the second pick in the 2021 draft, led the Rockets with 33 points. [Alperen Sengun](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4871144/alperen-sengun) added 23 points for the Rockets, who fell to 0-2 this season. ... Memphis has so 35 straight games when scoring 120 points or more. … Bane had seven assists and six rebounds. made back-to-back 3-pointers to put Houston up 108-104 with about nine minutes to play. When he’s making his 3-point shot he’s very, very hard to guard.” Just in attack mode throughout the game.” Bane made just 3 of 16 shots for 14 points and Jones was 4 for 13 with 11 points. “What a phenomenal game by Ja.

Find out how Action Network's analysts are betting Saturday's slate of NBA games, including Grizzlies vs. Mavericks.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies failed to cover and nearly lost to the Knicks in their home opener, then had to stage a furious comeback Friday night against the lowly Rockets. [Matt Moore](https://www.actionnetwork.com/article/author/matt-moore): I bet this immediately at -5 when it opened, but I think it’s fine to -6.5. The Bucks should hang a massive number on this weak Rockets defense in their home-opener. (You should usually bet the number.) I’m going to ignore the number and bet the team here. The combination of Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez should be able to replicate the rim pressure we saw Morant exert on this Houston team last night. The Rockets are on a back-to-back, but early season I tend to downplay that impact (and it’s baked into the line anyway). The Rockets lost Center Bruno Fernando during the game and his absence was certainly felt as they allowed Ja Morant to explode for 49 points. I’m willing to lay the points. In fact, according to NBA Advanced Stats, the Pacers’ defense in the first half ranks 29th out of 30 teams in Defensive Efficiency (122.6). The Pacers have allowed are allowing their opponents to score an average of 65 points in the first half. However, San Antonio has clearly established itself as one of the worst teams in the league coming into the season. [Matt Moore](https://www.actionnetwork.com/article/author/matt-moore): It’s a running joke in NBA circles that if you want to see what makes Joel Embiid an MVP candidate, all you have to do is watch him against a bottom-five team.