Memphis Grizzlies at Houston Rockets Game Preview

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (37-23, 11-18 road) at Houston Rockets (13-48, 8-21 home)

WHEN: 7:00 PM CT

WHERE: Toyota Center

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: Bally Sports Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Steven Adams (Out, Knee), Jake LaRavia (Questionable, back soreness)

HOUSTON: Kevin Porter Jr. (Questionable, left foot contusion), Jae’Sean Tate (Question, right ankle), Darius Days and Trevor Hudgins (Out, two-way G League transfer)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

MEMPHIS: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman

HOUSTON: Daishen Green, Jalen Green, Kenyon Martin Jr., Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

On the heels of a win against the Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies start a 4-game road trip with a matchup against the Houston Rockets.

Their division foe has the worst record in the league, as they’ve separated themselves among the pack in the sweepstakes for Victor Wembanyama. Their owner has to be thrilled, as he proclaimed (with possible liquid truth serum) “Pray for Victor” in Mardi Gras celebration. However, losing isn’t fun, and it’s the NBA. There’s still talent on each team.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies embark on this 4-game road trip, looking to turn the tide on their road woes. Sporting an 11-18 road record, it’s fair to be skeptical regarding this stretch over the next 6 days, as the Grizzlies have lost 8 straight games away from FedExForum. To zoom out even further, no team has won a NBA championship with a sub-.500 road record.

So hopefully, the Grizzlies can turn the tide against the woeful Houston Rockets to build some momentum towards a brutal road stretch against the Nuggets (who will surely be out for revenge), the Clippers, and the Lakers.

A career night on the way?

The Houston Rockets were on the receiving end of Damian Lillard’s 71-point masterclass on Sunday night. He isn’t the only player to enjoy high scoring nights against this Rockets defense:

Wow!

Ja Morant has already enjoyed a season-high night against the Houston Rockets in H-Town. Could he pull together an encore in Houston tonight? GBB’s Shawn Coleman boldly proclaimed the Grizzlies’ superstar point guard is due for an outburst of 55+ points. Is tonight the night for him to do so?

This isn’t exclusive to use Morant. The Rockets are last in opponent 3-point makes (14.7) and 28th in opponent 3-point percentage (37.3%). Could this be a night Desmond Bane goes en Fuego?

Bane’s season-high for points and 3’s came against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this year, when he erupted for 38 points and 8 three-pointers. Since 2023 started, Bane has averaged 20.9 points on 49.2% shooting from the field (15.8 attempts per game) and 44.4% from 3 (6.7 attempts per game). He’s cooled from downtown a bit over his past 10 games — prior to the game against the Lakers — as he’s shooting “only” 38.4% from 3 on 7.3 attempts per game. However, there are good indicators for a huge Bane breakout tonight. He’s still averaging 20.2 points over the past 10 games due his volume and his 2-point shooting. He’s attempted 15.6 shots per game in this span and has shot 7 or more 3’s in 9 of those games. He’s also shooting 55.4% (46/83) on 2’s, up from his season average of 50.2.

Jaren Jackson Jr. shouldn’t be excluded either as Alperen Sengun is not a great defender either. Regardless, career/season high’s are in jeopardy when teams are playing the Houston Rockets this season. It seems like a prime night for the Grizzlies’ elite backcourt in particular to explode in tonight’s matchup.

Don’t overlook though

Despite all the flaws and jokes about the Houston Rockets, they cannot be overlooked; there is still talent on this team.

Jalen Green can go off on any given night. Kevin Porter Jr., if available, can get buckets as well Alperen Sengun is sneaky good as well, and perhaps the best player on this young Rockets team. Young role players like Jabari Smith Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr., Tari Eason, and Josh Christopher are solid as well.

If given some daylight, this team will play hard, especially if a rare opportunity to win presents itself. The Grizzlies can’t afford to be lackadaisical or fall into their usual road woes, especially with more difficult matchups on the horizon over the next several days.

Prediction: The Memphis Grizzlies are in a zone right now, and it’s hard to see them letting the foot off the gas against this Rockets team. It may be close for a bit, but I see the Grizzlies pulling away in the second half. Grizzlies 124, Rockets 103.