Rockets Host Desperate Grizzlies Before Heading East
Nice to Meet Ja. Continuing Chameleons. Ready to Grind.
This season’s eventual Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant, makes his final visit to Houston this season as the Rockets host the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Memphis is holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot out West. Lately, their grip on a playoff berth has been slipping. The Grizzlies come in to Houston on a three-game slide, and the Rockets are prepped to extend Memphis’ woes to a fourth game. Houston is looking for their fifth consecutive victory before heading East on a short two-game road trip. For the first time, Ja Morant will face a player he was oft compared to and idolized growing up, Russell Westbrook. Brodie missed the Rockets first two matchups against the Grizz, but expect Russ to deal the rook a few lessons in basketball mastery. Harden and Westbrook have been in sync, and it all seemed to start with the trade.
Robert Covington has been excellent, and his value on this team is truly higher than Clint Capela’s. The other new Rockets, Jeff Green and DeMarre Carroll have done well in their respective bench roles, especially Green, who has shown promising signs in a small sample size. All three players, especially RoCo, have blended in with Houston’s style like chameleons. It’s hard to notice they’re new to the squad. Their initiation into Houston Rockets basketball has been seamless. If Houston can burst out the gate from the tip and get big lead, these new guys can see more action.
Eric Gordon won’t play Wednesday, as he’s still nursing a bruised right knee. Yesterday, EG was expected to be questionable for tonight, but today the Rockets decided against that, as there’s no need to rush Splash Gordon back. They need EG at full strength when the playoffs begin. Memphis will also be missing some pieces. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke are both out for the Grizzlies tonight with injuries. Nonetheless Memphis still has the probable Rookie of the Year, in Morant, and the Grizzlies are desperately trying to end their three-game slide. Morant will be hyped to play Russ for the first time, but expect Westbrook to take the rookie to school. “It was nice to meet Ja,” Brodie might say after the game.
Tonight’s game won’t be easy for Houston. Jonas Valanciunas has caused the Rockets problems in the past. This is the first time the Rockets have faced Valanciunas in the small-ball era. JoVa’s been the rare big who’s been a Rocket-killer (since his days in Toronto) regardless of Houston’s lineup on the floor. Dillon Brooks has played well against the Rockets in the teams’ first two meetings. Expect Morant, Brooks, and Valancinas to be the biggest problems Houston has to deal with tonight. Look for the Rockets to win a close game, but this one won’t be as smooth as the last few games for Houston. Memphis is fighting for the final playoff spot. The Rockets need to be ready to grind, and help out on Jonas Valanciunas, who is probably licking his chomps looking at Houston’s small-ball lineup, which will be truly tested against one of the league’s most uniquely skilled big-men. All the Rockets need to do is maintain their focus and intensity. Houston boasts more talent than the Grizz. As long as Harden and Westbrook continue to push the pace and create driving lanes, the bears will find themselves lost in space, created by this season’s eventual team of the year, the Houston Rockets. Oh yea, and ESPN switched their programming schedule a few weeks ago to make sure this matchup was on national TV. Who knows… tonight could be the game of the year.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Memphis Grizzlies (28-29): Turquoise
Houston Rockets (37-20): Red
TV: 7 PM CT – ESPN, AT&T Sportsnet SW