Mayo’s Young Grizzlies Host Yao’s Rockets

The Houston Rockets (30-19 SU, 22-26-1 ATS, 26-23 O/U) have won two consecutive games in the BetOnline Sportsbook, but are just 1-2-1 against the spread n their last four games.

The Memphis Grizzlies (12-25 SU, 16-30-1 ATS, 24-23 O/U) snapped their 12-game losing streak by beating the Washington Wizards the last time they took the floor, just as I predicted in the BetOnline Locker Room on Monday.

Tonight, both teams will look to extend their winning ways when they meet at the FedExForum.

All-star center Yao Ming put on a fine performance in Houston’s 107-100 win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, recording 28 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks though Houston couldn’t cash as 8.5-point home favorites as the game played over the 198-point total set by oddsmakers.

"We just force-fed Yao," blossoming guard Aaron Brooks said. "When you’ve got a horse like that in the middle, he can make so many mismatch problems. We found him, he found us and that’s how we got it done."

"I am happy with our position and I just wish we had won a few games we lost," forward Luis Scola said. "We could be in the top three in the West, but we are getting better."

The Grizzlies beat the Wizards 113-97 on Monday to cover the spread as 5-point road underdogs while the game’s 210 combined points sailed OVER the posted O/U total of 192.

Rookie shooting guard O.J. Mayo scored a game-high 33 points while rookie center Marc Gasol finished with a double-double, adding 21 points and 11 rebounds.

"We got the monkey off our back, definitely," Mayo said. "Twelve-game losing streak, I’ve never experienced anything like that before in my life."

New head coach Lionel Hollins started three rookies against the Wizards and says his young team has only one way to go.

"They haven’t lost 12 in a row with me," Hollins said. "They know we’re starting fresh and they have something that’s new and exciting and they’re buying into it."

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.

Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games on the road

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Memphis

The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Houston’s last 24 games when playing Memphis

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis’s last 5 games at home

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Memphis’s last 9 games when playing at home against Houston

The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Memphis’s last 24 games when playing Houston

Memphis is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Houston

NBA Odds

Houston Rockets -5½ -110

Memphis Grizzlies +5½ -110

Over 195 -110

Under 195 -110

Analysis: The Grizzlies may be happy about snapping their long losing streak but the Rockets are going to help them get back to their losing ways with a solid victory tonight, over the game, but overmatched Grizzlies.

NBA Free Picks: Rockets -5½ Points/Under 195 Total Points