Rockets Return Home Seeking to End Skid, Host Grizzlies
Hopeful Homestand. Stopping Morant and Slow-Mo. Another One.
The Rockets return to Houston, hoping a return to the friendly confines of Toyota Center will bring an end to their skid. Tonight, the Rockets face Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that’s just outside playoff contention in the West, and a threat to sneak into the postseason this year. Houston won the first meeting between these squads, 115-103, back on February 4th. The Rockets had Christian Wood in that game. The problem with tonight is Houston hasn’t been able to win since Wood sprained his ankle for the second time this season. And Wood will remain out until at least through the All-Star break. If the Rockets are going to grind out a gritty win over a team that plays its home games in “The Grindhouse”, they need contributions from everyone, and more effort on the defensive end. After being stellar defensively during their six-game win streak that came right before their current skid, Houston’s defense hasn’t been as sharp, and they’ll need a tough outing on that end off the floor to beat a promising Memphis team tonight.
Ja Morant is the Grizzlies best player, and one of the game’s best young point guards. The Rockets need to contain Ja, and keep him from having a monster performance. Houston also needs to slow down Kyle “Slow-Mo” Andersen, who’s quietly having the season of his career. And the Rockets will need to stop the force inside that is Jonas Valanciunas if they want any chance of ending the losing streak on Sunday night.
Tonight’s matchup is the first of yet another back-to-back for the Rockets. Meaning, probably either Victor Oladipo or John Wall won’t be playing tonight. And vice versa for tomorrow’s game against Cleveland. Houston has struggled on their back-to-backs, and need to start this one off with a bang. Get that bad taste of losing out of their mouths with a victory over a solid Grizzlies team. It’s not impossible, but if the Rockets don’t end their trend of falling behind by double-figures… a return to the friendly confines of Toyota Center might not be so friendly after all.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Memphis Grizzlies (14-15): Blue
Houston Rockets (11-20): Black
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW