Rockets Travel to Memphis for Battle with Grizzlies
Evolving Rivalry. Forecast: Green Skies. Crucial Matchup.
Eight games are on the NBA’s slate for Thursday night, but none with higher stakes than the matchup between the Rockets and Grizzlies in the Home of the Blues. Houston and Memphis are near the top of the Western Conference, with the second and third places in the standings, respectively. The winner of tonight’s tilt will hold sole possession of the second spot after the game. The Rockets won the first match between these divisional rivals. However, that was only the second game of the season, back in Houston last October. This Grizzlies team is a different animal compared to that first meeting between these foes.
Houston enters tonight winners of their last two games, and Memphis is coming off a win over the hobbled Dallas Mavericks in their last contest. Ja Morant, the Grizz superstar guard, didn’t play in their previous game, and enters tonight’s matchup with a questionable tag. Memphis still has plenty of other talented players. Jaren Jackson Jr. is coming off a 35-point, 13-rebound performance, and will be a focal point of Houston’s defense tonight.
Regardless if Morant plays or not, this Grizzlies team is tough to beat, especially at home. Memphis boasts the third best home record, at 15-4, in the entire league, behind only both conference leaders in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Tonight’s matchup is the middle leg of a three-game road trip for the Rockets, who will return home to face these same Grizz once again in a mere four days. Dillon Brooks returns to face his former team for the first time this season. Expect The Villain to be charged up and motivated to beat his former squad once again. Brooks has only lost twice to the Grizzlies since being acquired by Houston. The Rockets have won four of the past five games overall, but none of that matters heading into tonight’s battle.
Thursday night’s tilt is arguably the biggest of the season so far for both teams, considering how close these squads are in the standings. Jalen Green has been on a tear recently for Houston, scoring 89 points over his last three games. The Rockets are hoping for another night of Green skies in the forecast if they want to come out on the victorious end of this battle. This Memphis team will be tough to beat if Green is having one of his quiet, single-digit scoring offensive performances. Expect this rivalry to be renewed tonight in the Home of the Blues, as two of the West’s best square-off in a crucial midseason matchup.
FedExForum: Memphis, Tennessee
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (24-12): Black
Memphis Grizzlies (24-13): White
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass