Misery in Memphis: Rockets Comeback Not Enough, Toppled by Grizzlies, 126-125 in OT
Worst Enemy. Over the Back. 10 to Go.
It was another game the Rockets were expected to win. Memphis’ roster is depleted, but they out played Houston any, as the Rockets lost another game they should have won this season. Playing down to their competition is the squad’s worst enemy. Despite a valiant comeback effort, and a heroic 57-point night from James Harden, it simply wasn’t enough. When Houston gives an inferior team a chance to strike, and they smell blood, they haven’t backed down this season. Yet again, the Rockets put confidence in another lottery-bound team’s roster. And in the process, got beaten up on the boards by Jonas Valanciunas, and Joakim Noah. The Rockets are too good to let themselves get bullied by Joakim Noah. This trend of lackadaisical effort has to change, and soon.
By the way, this game should have gone to a second overtime. The Rockets were hosed with 00.1 left on the clock, as the refs called a foul on Clint Capela when Valanciunas clearly went over the back. The Grizz big man hit a free throw and that was the ball game. Another unfortunate contest decided by officiating in the clutch. Nonetheless, Houston should have never been in this position to lose in the first place. If they approached the game with the right mental mindset, they would have been up by double-digits late in the game. There wouldn’t have been any overtime.
Ten games remain left for the Rockets. They sit in the 3rd spot in the West. Although they’re tied with Portland in the loss column. The Blazers own the tiebreaker, so the Rockets can’t afford any more games like Wednesday night’s miserable game in Memphis. The comeback effort was special. But they lost the game. That’s all that matters. More than the Beard’s 57 points, as he continues to put on a season for the ages. Houston hosts red-hot San Antonio next. Hopefully, they will go into the contest with the mindset that it’s not just another game.