In Wednesday’s close loss at Memphis, the young Houston Rockets couldn’t get over the hump. But led by KJ Martin, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., they earned respect against the second-place team in the Western Conference standings.
Two days later, in an immediate rematch from FedExForum, can the visitors break through? While Houston owns the West’s worst record, but it is 3-3 in the last six games and 5-6 over its last 11, reflecting a sustained run of much more competitive play.
One challenge for the rebuilding Rockets is closing a competitive game on the road. Of those five March wins, four came at home and the road victory came at San Antonio, which owns the second-worst record in the West. The Grizzlies are a different beast.
Big man Jaren Jackson Jr. was the difference for Memphis in Wednesday’s opener of the two-game series, finishing with 37 points and 10 rebounds against the Rockets on 14-of-20 shooting (70%).