There were pros and cons from last night’s loss for the Memphis Grizzlies against the Houston Rockets. Memphis was able to respond to numerous Rockets runs and also had strong performances from top stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. They also continued to struggle with the physicality of Houston, especially Alperen Sengun who had his way with the Memphis front court.
Beyond the positive and negatives, there were a few things that happened for the Grizzlies that should not never occur again. Like, ever.
Let’s dive in.
Houston scored 45 points in the first quarter. You read that correctly - 45 points. From the Houston Rockets. Against a Grizzlies team that, under Taylor Jenkins, has hung their hat on the defensive end. The Rockets at one point were 11 for 11 on shots in the paint.
Against the Memphis Grizzlies! That’s wild.
Zach Edey was in early foul trouble - two fouls in the first three or so minutes of the quarter. The size of Edey was missed against Sengun early, who scored 16 points in the first frame alone. But it was also his physical presence. Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jay Huff - it did not matter who tried to stick Sengun. He was a force of nature on his way to yet another double double.
But he didn’t score 45 points alone. It came from Jalen Green, and Fred VanVleet, and was a team effort. Memphis started far too slowly to compete with an aggressive and borderline violent Rockets team. They eventually took the lead in the third quarter - but a lot of energy had to be expended to get there.
Desmond Bane went without a shot attempt in the first half. Read that sentence again. Three point marksman, “Downhill Des”, did not take a single shot in the first two quarters of the game with Houston.
How is that possible? It’s a mixed bag. Bane forces too much facilitation-wise at times - trying to make passes where the “best” offensive option can be himself. It’s Marc Gasol-esque in that way. At times Marc didn’t realize his own offense should be prioritized. It’s showing in multiple bad turnovers, especially late in the game where Memphis needed buckets badly. But it hurt first half production as well.
Whether it’s within the scheme itself or Des’ decision making, there must be rearranging there. Bane is too talented of a scorer to not make himself option one at times. Especially from beyond the arc, where his greatest value to this Grizzlies team has always been.
There was a stretch in the second half where Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. were all on the bench. Taylor Jenkins is a good basketball coach. But his rotation decision are questionable at times. The Grizzlies depth is a strength. But there is a reason Bane/Morant/Jackson Jr. are paid the way they are. Why JJJ will eventually be the highest paid player on their roster.
They are your best players. There should be one of them on the floor at all times. Easy, right?
Hopefully we don’t see any of these things on the upcoming four-game road trip. If we do, it could be a long one.
