Rockets-Memphis Preview: Western Conference Powerhouses Clash

The rising stars are coming to play.

In a clash of Western Conference powerhouses, the Memphis Grizzlies will face the red-hot Houston Rockets tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET.

The Rockets lead the season series 3-0, but the games have been a battle throughout. Houston is riding a four-game win streak that saw them take down the top two teams in the Eastern Conference and a signature moment for Amen Thompson.

Memphis enters this game with its six-game win streak snapped in a blowout loss at the Garden to the Knicks.

For fans tuning in, one thing to look for in both teams is their elite defense and depth across the board.

In the victory against Atlanta on Jan. 28, the Rockets scored 30 points off the bench, headlined by a 16-point night by Jae’Sean Tate.

“(Tate) was huge—and our bench in general,” head coach Ime Udoka said after the win. “We talk about our depth with Steven (Adams) being out, Tari (Eason) being out, some others being banged up a little bit, it’s good to have those guys come in and give us a boost.”

Houston’s depth will need to step up again against a deep, physical Grizzlies team strong on both sides of the ball. With former DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. and enforcer Zach Edey guarding the paint, there are no easy buckets. Combine elite scorers Ja Morant and Desmond Bane with a bench filled with shooters Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard, and you’ve got a recipe for the top-scoring offense in the league.

As for Houston, their defense has been locking teams up. Houston leads the League in rebounds per game and is allowing the fifth-fewest points per game. Led by two-way wings Thompson and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets’ frontcourt has put the clamps on opposing threats, while center Alperen Sengun has handled scoring and grabbing boards in the paint. Houston’s backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green have produced on the offensive end, with Green averaging 21.3 points per game.

It’s going to be a battle. Despite both teams’ high defensive rankings, expect an explosive, physical game between two teams contending in the Western Conference.