Game thread: Rockets at Grizzlies

It’s been a pretty successful preseason thus far for the Houston Rockets. The offense has looked just as devastating, if not more so, as last year, and the defense, at this admittedly early stage, appears much improved. The Rockets are 3-0 and have blown out each of their preseason opponents thus far.

But Houston travels tonight to Memphis to match up with the Grizzlies in what is the fourth of just a five-game preseason schedule.

It’s unknown how head coach Mike D’Antoni will be dividing the minutes tonight, though he has said he wants to use the preseason to make sure his squad is sharp once the real games start. You’d have to think the starters are going to play at least for a half, perhaps more.

Chris Paul is back in the lineup tonight after the missing the game against the New York Knicks with a shoulder bruise, and the Rockets should have just about every other notable roster member available, with the exception of Tarik Black. He’s still out nursing a sore left knee, though the team expects him to be available for next week’s opener.

Tonight’s game is on national TV, airing at 8:30pm CST on ESPN, so the Rockets have a grand stage to show off their improved roster against a fellow likely playoff contender. The Grizz are also a new matchup for the Rockets. They play their own style, so it should be an interesting game — at least as interesting as the preseason gets anyway.

Go Rockets!