Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies game preview

The Rockets still can’t play defense, and until that changes the results won’t change either.

After being unable to stop Brooklyn and the Nets, Houston really wasn’t able to stop the Miami Heat. Even worse, their offense didn’t show up either. Maybe it was a case of the Rockets partying in South Beach, but the team absolutely refused to show up in the first half and that made the second half academic.

Since it’s too depressing to talk about Houston, let’s talk about the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizz are 1-4 on the season, with their sole win being a one-point win over the Brooklyn Nets. If the fact that Memphis beat a team that Houston just lost to worries you, that’s because it should. That’s an ominous sign for Houston.

The Grizzlies are leaning heavily on youth in this rebuild, and last year’s rookie stud Jaren Jackson Jr. is joined by Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke. With the Mike Conley Jr. trade signalling a shift in priorities, Morant will be the focal point of the offense moving forward and will hope to usher in a new era for Memphis.

The Rockets should win this game, but their play has been uninspiring to put in mildly. Russell Westbrook is expected to sit tonight for load management.

Prediction: Grizzlies win 121-114

Tip-off is at 7pm CT