Rockets Try to End the Blues, Visit Memphis for Road Trip Finale
Easing the Grind. Smelling a 50-Burger. Cure for a Hangover.
Houston’s road-trip-turned-ugly comes to an end on Monday night Memphis. Where the Rockets hope to end their blues against the Grizzlies. This is the perfect game for Houston to get back on track. This young Memphis squad is the worst team the Rockets have faced all season. They have prized-rookie Ja Morant, but the Grizzlies are in full-rebuilding mode. The days of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol dominating the GrindHouse are gone. Memphis isn’t the threat it once was and Houston needs to take advantage of this opportunity. I get it, the Rockets played yesterday. Tonight is the second of a back-to-back. But, there’s no excuses for Houston losing tonight. It won’t be easy, as the squad has to show they actually care about winning. We get it, they’re cool. But nothing’s cooler than winning. And losing, as we witnessed last night, can be laughably embarrassing. Can they win basketball games when the pressure is on? Tonight’s result will be telling. Even though Russell Westbrook will be resting. James Harden is still playing. And a deep, talented roster itching to show signs of life.
Maybe a visit to the GrindHouse is just what the Beard and company need to grind out of their hangover. With Westbrook out, and no one on Memphis with the capacity to guard Harden… I’m smelling a 50-Burger from the Beard tonight. Houston will need it if Eric Gordon continues to try and build a mansion with brick after brick from downtown. And especially if Clint Capela still can’t catch the ball and continues throwing up hesitant low-percentage layups near the rim, instead of just dunking. Those two need to get their act together. And the rest will follow. However, if Eric Gordon and Clint Capela (both received new contracts in the offseason), don’t start playing like guys with something to lose, the Rockets will continue to lose. A lot.
Monday’s game, despite being the second of a back-to-back, pits the squad against inferior competition. Memphis is 1-4, with a chance to finish last in the West, considering the improvements of the rest of the conference. If Houston can’t show some heart and beat this young Grizzlies team, it’s a terrible sign for the rest of the season. However, I don’t see that happening. If the Rockets lose, it might be time to hit the panic button. Don’t expect Houston to lose tonight. James Harden was born for nights like tonight. And I can smell it approaching… a 50-point night from Harden, one of those efficient 50-Burgers that ends a road-trip in style, and gets a season back on track. A beautiful cure for a hangover.
FedExForum: Memphis, Tennessee
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (3-3): White
Memphis Grizzlies (1-4): Navy Blue
TV: 7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW / NBA League Pass