Game Preview: Grizzlies vs Rockets (12/15/2023)

When: Friday, December 15th, 7:00 PM CST

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

How to Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

Just when it seemed like the Grizzlies were finally pulling themselves together to resemble some form of a decent basketball team, they managed to lose three games, two of which were extremely winnable.

After losing by 25+ to a Timberwolves team that was without its arguably best player in Anthony Edwards, the Grizzlies hosted the Dallas Mavericks, who were without Kyrie Irving, and allowed Dante Exum and Jaden Hardy to put up a combined 35 (!!!!) points in a losing effort, 120-113. After that, the team was without Desmond Bane in Wednesday’s 117-104 loss to the Houston Rockets. The Grizzlies managed to waste two brilliant performances from JJJ, but more on his recent form later.

In the Houston Rockets, the Grizzlies will face a team that’s hot right now. After winning four in a row, the Rockets currently have a record of 12-9 and occupy the 7th seed in the West. While their record may not jump off the page, the Rockets are ranked 7th in the league in Net Rating, meaning they outscore opponents by 4.4 points per 100 possessions.

While there’s obviously a lot of basketball left, the start to this season has been largely positive for the Rockets, a team that’s been an NBA basement-dweller since the departure of James Harden. New hire Ime Udoka has seemingly brought his well-known defensive, stern style of leadership with him, and the younger locker room in Houston has responded positively.

With Desmond Bane a gametime decision, the Grizzlies will need to execute at a high-level in order to secure this W over their Southwest Division rivals.

Ascension of JJJ and Bane

While the state of the Grizzlies’ current roster options can be summated using a long string of trash emojis, it’s worth noting how good Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been despite the lack of support around them.

Starting with JJJ, his performances of late have been absolutely spectacular. While his offensive game isn’t necessarily going to inspire any Hoopmixtapes soon, it has been effective. His growth as a back-to-basket scorer has been evident, displaying comfort with jump hooks over either shoulder. With Jaren, there’s always been a question of assertiveness on the offensive end, and with recent performances in mind, he has answered any lasting doubts.

JJJ has been more conscious of picking matchups and moments to score, utilizing both his improving strength and his patented fluidity. Even more encouraging than his growth as scorer has been the improvement to the rest of his game. JJJ has maintained his elite, DPOY-level defensive game with far less surrounding help while taking on more responsibility as a passer, scorer, and rebounder. Additionally, he has been quicker to recognize defensive schemes and used improved ball-handling to attack gaps.

Meanwhile, Desmond Bane has maintained elite efficiency as a scorer while upping his volume and on-ball responsibility. While Bane has always been reliable with the ball in his hands, he has reached a new level of PnR manipulation, off-ball movement, and paint-scoring variation. Similarly, he has added wrinkles to his game that maximize his physical strength and downhill scoring.

While also being tasked with a massive offensive load, Bane has often been responsible for guarding one of the opposing team’s best scorers. Even with his limitations regarding wingspan, the shooting-guard has defended admirably.

All to say this: both of these guys are excellent, All-Star level basketball players who are under contract in Memphis for multiple seasons.  Due to Ja’s absence, both players have been forced to take on bigger roles, but I think that’s actually a positive long-term. They’ve been forced to add traits in their game that would’ve been left undeveloped if 12 were playing, and those newfound skills will explode once defensive attention lessens.

Ime’s Impact on Defense

As previously mentioned, the Houston Rockets have the 7th best Net Rating in the league, but their recent success certainly hasn’t been fueled by their 23rd ranked Offensive Rating. While much of the credit has to go to the players, it goes without saying that Ime Udoka deserves a fair share of praise too.

Certainly, no one is trying to argue that this is the same roster that had last season’s second worst Defensive Rating, but many of the same characters that headlined last year’s group are still around. That being said, their performance last season does make Udoka’s coaching job look that much better, taking the 2nd worst defense to the 2nd best. Along with their second best Defensive Rating, the Rockets also boast the 3rd best paint defense in the league, as well as having the best three-point defense. 

The addition of Dillon Brooks has certainly helped Udoka’s plans, giving him a wing defender capable of bothering anyone in the league. He joins a young, talented duo of forwards with defensive gifts in Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. Between those three, Udoka has a few forwards who can match up with just about anyone and excel with their length and athleticism. Make no mistake about it, Dillon Brooks is doing a similar job in Houston of establishing a culture of hustle and hard work, but this comes down to Udoka’s scheme.

Similar to his time in Boston, Udoka has leaned on a man-to-man heavy defensive setup with minimal help and minimal switching. This scheme may allow for individual offensive explosions, such as Jokic’s 38 point outing, but it often results in lackluster team performance. For example, in the aforementioned game where Udoka matched Jokic with Sengun and didn’t double, the Nuggets were held to 86 points.

While schemes and player development can aid a defense, effort is what ultimately makes it, and Ime has never had an issue getting his teams to play hard. Between their existing player development, recent acquisitions, and admirable coaching schemes, the Houston Rockets have drastically overhauled their defense.

Brighter Days Ahead!

Yes, Grizzlies fans, the start to this season has been hellish. So far, they have been through injuries to Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Steven Adams, as well as seeing the blatant hypocrisy of one tall bald guy whose name rhymes with Badam Bilver. We’ve seen the worst quality of basketball since Ja was drafted, and each Grizzlies PR tweet brings me an unhealthy amount of anxiety.

HOWEVER

It’s almost over, folks. The cloud of rain that’s been following this franchise for months now finally seems to be lifting, and having been through that temporary hell, there is so much newfound Grizzlies gratitude that I want to share with y’all.

Starting off with my (and most of Grizzlies Twitter’s) favorite development, Vince Williams. It feels like every single night Vince is getting better, and he can impact winning in numerous ways. Between his plus positional size, effort, and athleticism, Williams has forced his way into this rotation, and I struggle to see a way he falls out of it. With even Luka noticing his elite defense, Williams’ stock has continued to rise.

Ja’s vacancy has given plenty of opportunities, but it has also revealed who just can’t cut it. While Bismack has made the most of his opportunity, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, and Kenny Lofton Jr. have been amongst those who have been less impressive this season. With the injuries and suspensions clearing the way, their lack of impact and minutes has been very telling. With Ja coming back and the rotation tightening up again, it’s likely those players hit strike three in their Grizzlies career.

Along with the return of Ja, the Grizzlies will also be welcoming back Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart. In his absence, Marcus Smart has seemingly still found ways to make an impact through his leadership. You could never guess he wasn’t playing by the way he communicates, and his energy will be infectious once he’s back on the floor. In Kennard, the Grizzlies can place another floor spacer to aid Bane, JJJ, and Ja, as well as add some much needed bench scoring.

Lastly, and most importantly, 12 is almost back. I’ll allow my fellow BCM members to write more about his return, but as far as I’m concerned, the NBA season starts December 19th. Just five more days until Ja comes back and reminds everyone exactly who he is and what this team is about.