Rockets Seeking to Avoid a Bear Trap as Grizzlies Visit Town
Do it Again. Another Debut? Trap Game.
Houston hosts the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, as the Rockets look to win two games in a row for the first time in months. The squad will look to repeat what they accomplished last game: garner multiple players in double-figures, and have everyone bringing contributions to the court. Memphis is a game below .500 and fighting for one of the last playoff spots, so the Grizzlies certainly have something to play for. The Rockets will need to bring it, if they want to beat a much better team with an animal as its mascot than the squad Houston faced over the weekend in Minnesota.
Avery Bradley, the other player the Rockets got in the P.J. Tucker trade, is questionable for Monday night’s action. Bradley has yet to play, but should bring the squad some veteran leadership, and more importantly, some much-needed defensive help on the perimeter. Kelly Olynyk had an outstanding debut for Houston on Saturday. Hopefully Bradley is able to play tonight, and follows suit.
One would think it’s impossible for a bad team to have a trap game, but tonight’s a trap game, in the rare case for this 13-32 Rockets team. Houston travels to Brooklyn to face some guy named James Harden on Wednesday night. Harden’s the MVP this season in the eyes of many pundits. And they’re not wrong. He’s the same old Harden who held his own “Unguardable Tour” at one point in Houston. And the Rockets, especially John Wall, want to beat him so bad, at least once this season. And Wednesday’s Houston’s last chance to accomplish the feat. But the Rockets can’t look ahead and ignore Monday’s game. I’m excited just writing and thinking about Wednesday’s game. It wouldn’t be natural if Houston’s players didn’t feel that same excitement. Nevertheless, for now… the Rockets need to stop Ja Morant, and his incoming Bear Trap.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Memphis Grizzlies (21-22): Blue
Houston Rockets (13-32): Red
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass