Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies

Two of the contenders in the Western Conference of NBA are scheduled to lock horns for the second time within five days as the Houston Rockets will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday at the Toyota Center.

The sides offered up a great battle last time when the Rockets won a tightly fought battle and the Grizzlies will be eager to get their due.

Meanwhile, after finishing well adrift of playoff contention the last time out, the Houston Rockets surprisingly did not add any new FA, and were not sure how extent they were satisfied with the current squad construction during the off-season trade deadline period.

Their first eighteen games of the season showed that Ime Udoka’s men are up for the fight, having notched up a 12-6 record Before that, the Rockets have continued on an upward trajectory, having won 13 of their 19 last games, which placed them second in the Western Conference.

Right behind the Rockets are the Grizzlies, which the Rockets topped in their last meeting at FedExForum on Friday due to Alperen Sengun delivering 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, which were both three-point leads.

Originally set for Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks, the clash had to be rescheduled because of a winter storm; in any case, the more woes for the Rockets, as a very demanding stretch of games awaits them.

After Tuesday’s action the home side departs for a three road games ahead, the initial two of which are against the Denver Nuggets who are ranked third in the Western Conference and a resurging Sacramento Kings ranked ninth in the West.

As it did the Rockets, the Memphis Grizzlies had a poor season last year but has managed to turn it around halfway through the current season.

Just two less wins than they had during the whole 2023–24 season, when they finished last but two in the Western Conference, have been recorded by Taylor Jenkins' team, who have won 25 of their 39 games thus far.

The Grizzlies, fresh off a 48-hour loss to the Rockets, faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, the conference finalists from the previous year, in another exciting game on Sunday at Target Center.

Ja Morant had his third-lowest scoring performance of the season with just 12 points on 5-19 field goal shooting, but he made two clutch baskets in the closing minute to help his team win 127-125.

Tuesday's visitors have been playing well offensively all season long, averaging more points per game than any other NBA club this season. However, they will be put to the test in a big way against the team that is currently allowing the third-fewest points per game.

Due to a broken left hand earlier this month, Jabari Smith Jr. will not be able to play for the Houston Rockets until at least the first week of February.

Tari Eason, meanwhile, is a major worry for the home team because he hasn't entirely recovered from a lower leg injury that would have prevented him from playing against the Hawks had it been played.

 Jalen Green has started the New Year with five consecutive 20-point games and is someone to watch here after only scoring 20 points in his last four games of 2024.

Marcus Smart is making great strides toward playing again after suffering a finger injury, but Tuesday's match is perhaps too soon for the seasoned player.

Although Vince Williams Jr. is getting closer to returning, guards Cam Spencer and Vince Williams will both be out on Tuesday due to thumb and ankle injuries, respectively.