Houston Rockets (24-12, second in the Western Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (24-13, third in the Western Conference)
Memphis, Tennessee; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Houston visits Memphis trying to prolong its four-game road winning streak.
The Grizzlies are 11-10 in Western Conference games. Memphis ranks second in the league with 35.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Santi Aldama averaging 5.7.
The Rockets are 7-1 against the rest of the division. Houston is 3-3 in one-possession games.
The 123.1 points per game the Grizzlies average are 16.3 more points than the Rockets give up (106.8). The Rockets average 112.9 points per game, 1.8 fewer than the 114.7 the Grizzlies allow to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.6 blocks for the Grizzlies.
Fred VanVleet is averaging 14.9 points, six assists and 1.6 steals for the Rockets.
LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 6-4, averaging 125.7 points, 51.2 rebounds, 30.6 assists, 9.3 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.4 points per game.
Rockets: 7-3, averaging 115.1 points, 47.8 rebounds, 21.2 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.7 points.
INJURIES: Grizzlies: Desmond Bane: day to day (ankle), Marcus Smart: out (finger), Santi Aldama: out (ankle), Vince Williams Jr.: out (ankle), Ja Morant: out (ac joint), GG Jackson II: out (foot ).
Rockets: Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Jabari Smith Jr.: out (hand).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
