On Monday, the Rockets (24-29) ended their four-game overall losing streak with a last-second home victory over the New York Knicks.
Now, in their final game before the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, Houston will try to do something that’s proven much more difficult throughout the 2023-24 season. That task is winning on the road.
The Rockets are just 5-20 away from Houston this season, and they’ve lost their last five consecutive road contests, overall. That slippage is a big part of why their odds of a Western Conference play-in tournament push have significantly declined in recent weeks.
The good news is Wednesday’s opponent — the injury ravaged Memphis Grizzlies — could be Houston’s best opportunity in some time to reverse that trend. The Grizzlies (18-36) enter with nine straight losses, and key players Ja Morant and Desmond Bane are among those sidelined. Memphis is 0-3 versus Houston this season.
Then again, the Rockets are short-handed, as well. Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury) and Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain) will not return until at least the post-break portion of the schedule, which starts on Feb. 22 in New Orleans.