Rockets vs. Grizzlies Preview: Green Faces Morant, Rockets Aim for First Win of the Season

On October 26 at 8 PM, the NBA regular season continues as the Houston Rockets host the Memphis Grizzlies.

In their season opener, the Rockets suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Charlotte Hornets after leading by as many as 18 points at home. The team’s offense went cold in the second half, allowing the Hornets to catch up and eventually win. Shen Jing made a crucial mistake in the final moments, costing the Rockets their last chance. Jalen Green scored 28 points, and Shen Jing added 25 points and 18 rebounds, but their efficiency was not high. Additionally, other players failed to step up and contribute offensively. After the game, head coach Udoka commented, “We relaxed after taking the lead and need to rely on our defense when we miss shots.”

Despite the disappointing start, the Rockets need to regroup and focus on this home game against the Grizzlies. In the first half of their opener, the Rockets played well, but they struggled to maintain that momentum in the second half. They need to improve their offensive consistency and get more contributions from players like Fred VanVleet. The season is just beginning, so there is still time to make adjustments. Rookie Jabari Smith Jr. also needs to adapt quickly; in his debut, he played 15 minutes, scoring 4 points with 2 rebounds and 3 assists, while committing 3 turnovers.

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, secured a victory in their season opener, albeit not without difficulty. Without Jaren Jackson Jr., they held off a late rally by the Utah Jazz, winning 126-124. Ja Morant showed excellent form, scoring 22 points and dishing out 10 assists on 7-of-12 shooting. His teammates also performed well, with Desmond Bane scoring 24 points and Santi Aldama adding 27. Jackson Jr. may return for this game against the Rockets, which would make the Grizzlies even tougher to beat.

The Grizzlies have high aspirations for the new season, especially with Morant back in action. Their overall roster is strong, and their offensive performance in the first game was impressive. The key will be whether they can sustain this level of play. The team’s success will largely depend on Morant’s ability to stay focused on the game and avoid distractions.

This is the first meeting between the two teams this season, featuring some young and talented players. The matchup should be interesting, particularly with Dillon Brooks potentially facing his former team. However, Steven Adams will remain sidelined due to injury.

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