Grizzlies (1-0) vs Rockets (0-1) recap and reaction

The Grizzlies and Rockets matched up against each other for their second games of the young NBA season. The Rockets blew an 18 point lead to the Hornets on Wednesday and looked to get their first win of the season, while the Grizzlies looked to keep the momentum they gathered from their win against Utah on Wednesday.  Let's dive into the game recap and my reaction to the game. 

Recap 

The Rockets opened the game with Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr, and Alperen Sengun and was matched by the Grizzlies starters in Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey. This game also features probably the two early favorites for Rookie of the Year in Zach Edey and Reed Sheppard. The beginning of the game started a little slow, but the scoring picked up very quickly. Both teams with Edey and Sengun started in drop coverage giving VanVleet, Green, Morant, and Bane opportunities to get down hill and put the defense in rotation. The Grizzlies made it a point to let Zach Edey get post touches while it seemed like the Rockets weren't panicking to let Edey get his touches either. While Edey can score well he's not a great passer out of the post yet and the Rockets seemed content giving up the post touches. For starters it keeps the ball away from Morant and allows someone else to beat them as well. Edey is skilled, but if he's taking 15 shots to get 20 points and shutting off someone else can help your team win the game doing that. Edey's screening was also noticeable early on as well. He continuously set great screens for Morant to get downhill and he punished the Rockets early on at the free throw line.  The Rockets started to adjust and helped off the right guys to limit Morant's drives and not let Memphis step into easy threes.  The Rockets did something similar with the drop coverage as both Fred VanVleet and Reed Sheppard were able to to hit 2 threes each on drop coverage from Jay Huff and Zach Edey on Memphis. The second unit for Memphis started to get things rolling overall for Memphis. The offensive difference between the two units was interesting to me. Memphis played a lot 5 out with Jay Huff at the center spot and looked to take more threes with the second unit, while the first unit looked to attack and get downhill before making extra passes and kick outs on the perimeter.  After a fasted paced high scoring quarter the Rockets and Grizzlies were tied up at 38 each heading to the second quarter. I felt like the Rockets were more equipped to deal with Sengun in drop coverage because of the length and speed they have on the perimeter. This should allow for them to pick up for each other while Sengun tries to hold his own on defense. The Grizzlies second unit played early on in the quarter and were able to stretch out the lead. The unit considered of rookie Jaylen Wells, John Konchar, Jake LaRavia, Scotty Pippen, and Jay Huff. This group was able to put a lot of pressure on the Rockets' rotations and were able to knock down shots. Jay Huff also did a great job protecting the basket for the Grizzlies. He bothered the ball handler for the Rockets consistently in drop coverage. The Rockets however, started to put up the pace especially Jalen Green. Green had 12 points in the quarter that was punctuated by some run out dunks. He was able to keep the Rockets in it for most of the quarter. The Rockets did not look great early on. They had Fred VanVleet off the floor and you could see the offense really drop. They don't have a consistent playmaker on the bench that can facilitate offense. However, I think Reed Sheppard can be the answer for this. They experimented with Tari Easton running the  point guard spot, but he didn't look too comfortable doing that. I think in future Sheppard should be able to provide some help in this area. He showed at Kentucky last year he's more than capable of running an offense. Halftime saw the Grizzlies take a 65-59 lead over the Rockets. Morant had 15 points on 5/10 shooting, Edey had 12 points and 6 rebounds, Bane also contributed 12 points on 6/7 shooting.  Jalen Green paced the Rockets with 12 points and VanVleet had 10 points. The Rockets were 8/14 from three in the first half. The second half was much different than the first half for the Rockets. They came out with a higher intensity level on defense. The Grizzlies never seemed to get comfortable shots the entire quarter.  The scripted seemed to flip with Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith. Both guys made effort plays throughout the quarter and allowed the Rockets to get steals and run out in transition. The lineup of Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks, and Jabari Smith  went on a 17-0 run and pushed the lead out to double digits for the first time for the Rockets on the night. Amen Thompson really changed the flow of the game for the Rockets. He was quick to push the ball in transition and put a ton of pressure on the Grizzlies defense. Memphis had no answer for the intensity of Houstan. The Rockets entered the forth quarter with a 98-83 lead. The game was put away in early in the forth quarter with a couple of steals and run out dunks from Cam Whitmore. Jabari Smith had a couple of offensive rebounds to emphasize the win. The final score ended up being a 128-108 Rockets victory. They improved to 1-1 on the year while Memphis suffered their first lost of the year, dropping them to 1-1. Ja Morant had 24 points on 8/17 shooting, Edey finished with 13 points and Bane had 16 points. For the Rockets Jalen Green had 22 points on 8/21 shooting and 4/8 from three. Fred VanVleet had 16 points on 5/9 from three and Smith and Sengun had double-doubles on the night. 

Reaction 

This feels like the brand of basketball the Rockets can play. They were fast, lengthy, and explosive in the second half. It feels like Jalen Green with a little bit more maturity in his game can really take the next step for them. I like either Amen Thompson or Reed Sheppard handling the ball while VanVleet is out of the game. Thompson was able to really push the pace for them and it changed the entire game. Sheppard had some nice plays in the first half, but saw limited time in the second half. The Rockets are a fun team they have a ton of lineup combinations they can go to. Overall I still think they are a very good team, but doesn't seem like they a have a true go-to guy at the end of games that they will need if they make it to the playoffs. 

I was very surprised at the Grizzlies respond in the second half. It still seems like Ja is finding his footing after only playing in 9 games last year. Bane showed he capable of diversifying his scorer, something he will need to do in the future. Zach Edey looked as good as advertised, his screening really opened up the game for Morant in the first half. Marcus smart also looked a little out of place. he didn't shoot the ball well, and he was really limited on the offensive end for Memphis. I think the shooting and athleticism of Houstan really bothered them tonight. It is only one gam, but getting hit in the mouth with little no response from Memphis was surprising to see from me.