Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies game preview

I'm so glad we're going back on the road. As has been stated multiple times, this young Rockets team is unaccustomed to the pressures of a home crowd. It's kind of counter-intuitive, but I'll try to explain my stance.

When you're on the road, the expectations are zilch. You're a young team that just recently got together to have a practice as a team. Then you're playing in front a packed house on the road and if you lose, that's what people thought would happen. If you win, great.

Then you win. Then you win again.

Then you come home. BAM! Expectations through the roof. You might be a playoff team now. Maybe a 6 seed or something. The fans came to watch a winning team. You want to put on a good show and get the W. But the competition gets stiffer. And you lose. Twice.

Tip off is at 7pm CST.

Matchups:

Point Guard: Jeremy Lin vs. Mike Conley

This used to be so much easier when it was Lowry vs. Conley, since Lowry took it so personally and always whipped the crap out of Conley and the Grizzlies.

Bold prediction: Lin shoots well tonight from three, but Conley still outplays him.

Advantage: Grizzlies

Shooting Guard: James Harden vs. Tony Allen

Allen is yet another tough wing defender for Harden to face. Like Iggy, he's going to make life difficult for the Bearded One.

[after Isabella kisses Lee]
James Carter: I saw that. You played it smooth too, walkin' away like that.
Lee: Yeah, I'm a player.

Harden and Lin will have to be smooth players tonight.

Advantage: Rockets

Small Forward: Chandler Parsons vs. Rudy Gay

Remember the Rudy Gay-Shane Battier matchups?

Man, this game is all about nostalgia.

Rudy Gay is a top small forward.

Chandler Parsons needs to hit a three pointer or five.

Advantage: Grizzlies

Power Forward: Patrick Patterson vs. Zach Randolph

This one could get ugly fast. Randolph has one of the more polished post games in the NBA, while Patterson, though a good defender, is still a little too young to understand all the nuances of post defense.

I think Z-Bo takes him to the wood chipper.

Advantage: Grizzlies

Center: Omer Asik vs. Marc Gasol

Rebounds!

Advantage: Even

Bench-Obvious caveat here

Rockets: Toney Douglas, Carlos Delfino, Marcus Morris, Greg Smith, Cole Aldrich

Grizzlies: Marreese Speights, Quincy Pondexter, Jerryd Bayless, Wayne Ellington

Advantage: Grizzlies

Prediction: Grizzlies win 105-92

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