One week ago, the Houston Rockets were reeling from a stretch of six losses in eight games. While many of those were competitive and on the road versus talented opponents, the Rockets simply didn’t have enough proven talent to get over the hump late against the Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
But one source for optimism was a return home. Houston entered a stretch with three of four at Toyota Center. Now, after wins over Oklahoma City and San Antonio by an average of 10 points per game, the Rockets (11-9) are 10-1 at home with 10 straight wins, and they possess the NBA’s No. 2 overall defense.
On Wednesday, they’ll look to make it 11 straight when the struggling Grizzlies (6-16) visit. Memphis finished second in the Western Conference standings last season, but it has struggled in 2023-24. It lost Dillon Brooks to the Rockets in offseason free agency and has not had superstar guard Ja Morant, who remains sidelined by a league suspension.
Led by Jalen Green, the Rockets blitzed Memphis in the second half when the Grizzlies visited Houston in late November.
After Wednesday, the Rockets and Grizzlies will meet again on Friday night in Memphis as a home-and-home series concludes.