Jalloween: Morant’s 49 Points Points Push Grizzlies Past Rockets, 129-122
Second to None. Encouraging Start. Part 1.
Houston opener their season at Toyota Center with a hard-fought battle, but ultimately lost to Memphis, 129-122. Superstar Ja Morant exploded for 49 points for the Grizzlies, including 19 points third quarter points that helped seal a Memphis deficit. Jalen Green had his best game of this early season. Houston’s young superstar scored 33 points on 13-for-21 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-5 from deep. Alperen had his best showing of the young campaign, scoring 23 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and recording 2 blocks. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 18 points on a less-efficient scoring night opposed to the opener in Atlanta. And Jabari Smith Jr. struggled to settle in during his first home game as a pro. Jabari scored only 5 points on a dismal 3-for-14 shooting display. We’re only two games into the season. Smith Jr. has plenty of time to find his groove at the NBA level.
Although the Rockets are 0-2, it’s been an encouraging start. Last season, the Rockets would’ve been blown out twice. This year, the squad has kept contests competitive. Houston’s played two playoff teams, and lost both by 10 points or less. The Rockets were pesky in Atlanta, but could never get over the hump. And Houston held a 16-point lead at one point on Friday against Memphis. But Ja Morant had one of those superstar-caliber performances that edged the Grizz past the Rockets. Houston has a lot to look forward to despite the winless start in the first couple of games.
Like Morant, Jalen Green was also the second pick in his draft class. And to start the season, he’s proving to the league he deserves recognition as the best sophomore in the league. Once the Rockets settle in after a tough start schedule-wise to the season, the squad will develop the requisite chemistry to acquire victories in these hard-fought battles.
It doesn’t get any easier as Houston travels up to Milwaukee to take on the Giannis Antetekounmpo and the Bucks in the second half of a back-to-back. The Greek Freak will be a handful for this young Rockets team. If Jae Sean Tate returns for Houston, he gives the Rockets a huge boost on the defensive end. Regardless, hopefully it’ll be a hard-fought battle like the one we witnessed Friday night at Toyota Center.