Game 15: Houston Rockets Vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview
The Houston Rockets are back at it after three days off.
Let’s just hope they went back to the basic fundamentals of basketball while they have had all of this time off!
It’s severely-needed for this team because it’s as if this team has totally forgotten how to play the game of basketball and it looks as if they’re out on the blacktop, trying anything to see if it works.
But I have to admit, strides are being made under J.B. Bickerstaff and things are starting come together for this team.
The wins may take time but as long as the Rockets start committing to defensive end and their shots start falling, this team will be just as dangerous as they were last year.
You could almost refer this team to as the “three-and-D” type.
It has been a mantra that has manifested throughout but just hasn’t come to fruition so far this season.
Patrick Beverley will likely be back in the lineup tonight so that will be a tremendous shot in the arm as far as their defensive efforts.
For the first 11 games, the Rockets held opponents to 108.5 PPG and 47.1 percent shooting from the field but have whittled their numbers down to 102.0 PPG/41.5 percent since J.B. has been at the helm.
They face the surging 8-7 Memphis Grizzlies for the first time within the past five days. They just demolished the Dallas Mavericks 110-96 last night and are riding high at the moment.
It’s up to the Rockets to stop that momentum.
Will it happen?
We shall see.
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So who’s leading the charge for the Grizzlies?
Marc Gasol is the scoring champ (15.7 PPG), Zach Randolph is the top board-getter (8.7 RPG), Mike Conley in dimes (6.5 APG), and Tony Allen in steals (1.70 SPG) and Brandan Wright in blocks (1.40 BPG).
Let’s talk about what the Grizzlies do well.
The Grizz still have a lot of work to do to get better in a lot of categories but here’s what they do:
They take care of the basketball. The Grizz are 3rd in the league in turnover ratio with just a measly 12.6 percent of their total possessions ending in a turnover.
Injuries:
Beverley is on track to make his return back to the court tonight after missing five games because of the injury to his ankle. Although he didn’t practice Monday, he did practice yesterday so it looks as if his return will be imminent. At the time of this writing, his status hasn’t been upgraded yet but expect that to happen before game time today.
Dwight Howard may be cleared to start playing back-to-back games as early as this week but no word yet on when exactly that will start happening. The team hasn’t been much successful without him, usually losing when he’s out. This is glorious news because as I know it’s frustrating for himself and his teammates, it’s just as mind-numbing for us fans because we all know that value of what his presence means in the paint.
Zach Randolph has been dealing with ailing knee since last week. He has missed two games so far as a result and his status for tonight is uncertain. He’s officially listed as day-to-day.
Sources: Jonathan Feigen (Houston Chronicle), Calvin Watkins (ESPN), Commercial Appeal and Rob Fischer (Fox Sports Southeast).
Three Things to Watch:
- Trevor Ariza vs. Jeff Green
- Dwight Howard vs. Gasol
- Jason Terry/Beverley? vs. Conley
Prediction:
98-92 in a Rockets’ loss.
The Rockets take on the Grizz at home at Toyota Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest/NBA TV and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!
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