Grizzlies vs. Rockets Preview: Will Houston Have a Problem?

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Carmen Patton

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The Memphis Grizzlies will face the Houston Rockets tonight in Houston. This is the last game in the season series. Memphis currently leads the series 2-1. The teams last faced each other on January 12 in Memphis, and the Grizzlies suffered a loss. Marc Gasol was the leading Grizz scorer that night with 20 points; he won’t be scoring tonight. Mario Chalmers led the Grizzlies in assists that night with 9; he won’t be dishing dimes tonight. Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies in rebounds with 9; he hasn’t played since March 6 due to knee soreness. Mike Conley didn’t play that night due to a sore Achilles; unfortunately, he won’t play tonight either. Matt Barnes also didn’t play that night due to a right thumb contusion; luckily, Barnes should be good to go tonight. Marcus Thornton contributed 16 points for the Rockets that night; he’s been waived. Ty Lawson didn’t play that night due to a suspension, but he’s gone from their roster too. Due to injuries and trades, the Grizzlies look vastly different than they have in the other 3 match-ups. The Rockets also look slightly different as they’ve started winning games. The Rockets have won 5 of their last 10 games; the Grizzlies have won 6 of their last 10. Grizzlies currently sit 6 games ahead of the Rockets in the playoff standings. How do they get the W tonight?

Smother the Beard (i.e. Tony Allen, PLEASE Do Tony Allen Things)

The bearded one, James Harden, averaged 29 points in the first 3 match-ups between these two teams. The Grizzlies need to play tough defense against Harden, while avoiding fouling him. Harden gets his points at the free throw line, often. If this Grizzlies squad can manage to smother him in defense without fouling, their chances of keeping his point contributions low are good. Allen has done a great job leading this team through the last few games while the rest of the Core is injured. Hopefully, he can continue that trend tonight.

Hairston Needs to See Some Made Baskets…EARLY

PJ Hairston has struggled offensively in recent games. He’s taking shots, but they aren’t falling. In the last 5 games, he’s taken 18 three point shots. He’s connected on just one though. He’s 12-of-42 (29%) on FGA and averaging 6 points in the last 5 games. With the Grizzlies as banged up as they are injury wise, they really need Hairston to see some of his shots connect early so that he can get his mojo going again.

The Youngins Need to Keep Doing What They’re Doing

JaMychal Green struggled in Saturday night’s game against the Hawks, but he’s been setting and breaking his own records in the games prior to that one. We’re going to say his legs were tired on Saturday; it happens. Hopefully, he’ll see better numbers tonight after being able to rest some on yesterday.

Rookie Jarell Martin has also seen some good numbers in the last 5 games. His confidence seems to be rising, and that’s good given the injuries that this team’s veterans have suffered. The Grizzlies need their young players to stay confident, active, aggressive and healthy as they make this push towards sustaining their spot in the playoff standings.

Lance, Continue to Make Us Dance

Lance Stephenson is questionable for tonight’s game due to a issue with his right wrist. He left Atlanta Saturday night with his wrist in a splint, but was quoted as saying he’d be fine. Stephenson has been a welcomed spark for this team. Putting all comparisons to Jeff Green aside, Stephenson has been a fairly consistent force offensively and defensively in recent games. He’s shown professionalism and heart stepping up and leading this depleted bench over the past week. So, Lance, please continue to make us dance and live up to the moniker, Born Ready!

The Grizzlies remain steady in the 5^th spot in the West. They’re 3.5 games behind the Clippers in the 4^th spot, and 6 games ahead of Dallas in the 8^th spot. Portland is 4.5 games behind them in 6^th. Mike Conley is out 3-4 weeks. Zach Randolph, Vince Carter and Chris Andersen appear to be day to day on their return. Andersen is still being evaluated. Randolph did not make the short road trip with the team; so, he’s definitely out as well. Carter, with a left calf strain, is questionable. They’ve got 2 point guards and a center who haven’t been with the team more than a weekend in Briante Weber, Ray McCallum, and Alex Stepheson respectively. But the GRIND DON’T STOP!!! Catch your Grizzlies tonight at 7 p.m. as they face the Houston Rockets. Let’s get ready to RIDE and not COLLIDE! GOON SQUAD, mount up! Go Grizz!!