The number two and three seed in the West will square off tonight in a very anticipated game. The Rockets are on a roll and are looking to sweep Memphis in the regular season series. Houston has defeated the Grizzlies three times already this season.
The Rockets have won four in a row and have the longest win streak in the West together with Minnesota currently. The Rockets have beaten Cleveland x2, Boston, and Atlanta in their last four. Houston has won eight out of their last ten games. They sit at the second spot in the Western Conference with a record of 32 wins and 14 losses. Houston has been playing very well on the road all season and has a record of 17-6. This young team is both hungry and very serious in how they want to build a culture and create good habits. The head coach, Ime Udoka, deserves a lot of credit for that. So do the veterans Jeff Green, Fred VanVleet, and Dillon Brooks.
The Grizzlies had a very rough night at Madison Square Garden when they were blown out by New York, 106-143. Memphis had six straight wins before that big loss in Manhattan. The head coach, Taylor Jenkins, was not too happy after that game. Memphis has lost all three games to the Rockets this season. The Grizzlies must win tonight to avoid the regular season sweep. Memphis has not been swept by the Rockets in the prior 15 seasons.
The Grizzlies have a record of 31 wins and 16 losses so far this season. Memphis is strong at home with 19 wins and only five losses. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been the best player of the season for the franchise. Jackson Jr. or Victor Wembanyama will most likely win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Ja Morant has missed plenty of games this season and is not at the same level as he was two or three seasons ago. Desmond Bane has stepped up lately and is shooting the leather off the ball.
Memphis will miss Marcus Smart, Cam Spencer, and Vince Williams Jr. As far as the Rockets go, they still miss Jabari Smith Jr. Tari Eason is questionable. The Turkish center Alperen Şengün is doubtful. So is the Rockets' backup center, Steven Adams.
