Joe Mullinax here, the host of the daily Locked On Grizzlies podcast, with your daily Locked On Grizzlies newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Grizzlies and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
It’s fight night in Memphis for Grizzlies-Rockets
Oct 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina/Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
It was the 2nd game of the 2024-2025 season for the Memphis Grizzlies. It was also their first loss of the campaign for Memphis - their first game on the road as well, suffering defeat by 20 points at the hands of the Houston Rockets. It was close - a six point Grizzlies lead at the half - until a dominant 39-18 3rd quarter all but put Memphis away.
The Rockets had seven scorers in double figures. The Grizzlies had four. Houston was +21 on the glass and dominated a Memphis team physically that for this game was without Jaren Jackson Jr.
But Jaren, while questionable on the injury report, is expected to play. As is Santi Aldama, Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane - three players who were part of that tough, physical loss. They remember.
And they know that more is required of them if they’re to avoid the same fate tonight.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers played a much-hyped regular season game last night (see NBA Cup, it’s possible!) that saw Cleveland lay claim to OKC’s status as the NBA’s best team in a Cavaliers victory. It was high level hoops all around - and a reminder that while perhaps the Grizzlies can get to that place, they’re not there yet.
A trade? Maybe. Simply getting the likes of Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson back? Sure. Options abound. But for now, the Grizzlies are in Tier 2 of contender-dom.
Right next to the Houston Rockets, who they share that status with in the Western Conference as a half game separated them heading in to tonight.
It will be far from easy. Houston has won their last four road games, but those wins weren’t exactly against Murderer’s Row (no offense Toronto/Charlotte/New Orleans/Washington). And Memphis has struggled against the Western Conference (11-10) compared to the Rockets (15-8). Both teams have something to prove.
Which only adds to the big fight feel down at FedExForum for this game.
It’s Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, and to a lesser extent Jeff Green returning to their old stomping grounds. It’s the young core of the Rockets - Amen Thompson is a revelation, if you haven’t watched him play lately - against that of the Grizzlies. It’s Memphis not just seeking redemption after a tough loss early in the season.
It’s a team directly in their way toward their larger, eventual postseason goals. And in a hypothetical 7 game playoff series, would the Grizzlies rather be at home for a potential Game Seven against the Rockets?
Probably so. With that in mind, getting this win is huge for tiebreaker possibilities down the road. Especially considering these two teams play again in just four days time, once again in Houston.
So ring the bell. Let’s do this. You want to be seen as a real threat in the NBA title picture? The Cavs and Thunder showed what that means last night.
Now it’s up to Memphis to meet Houston’s physicality - and this moment - as they run their own race toward the Finals.
The Cavs, the Thunder, and the joy of a job well done
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | Ken Blaze/Imagn Images
The ESPN broadcast had its usual coach interview at the start of the fourth quarter, but the dialogue was far from typical. Instead of anodyne coach-speak, a smiling Kenny Atkinson marveled at the basketball being played before him.
“What a great basketball game,” the Cavaliers coach gushed. “I wish I could just sit back and watch it.”
As someone who did precisely that, I can say that Atkinson sure wasn’t wrong.
Cleveland/OKC had something for everyone. There were loud dunks, post moves, occasional but far from overwhelming flurries of three-pointers, high-level shotmaking, ping-pong ball movement, and great all-around defense (despite what the final score might indicate).
The major players exerted maximum effort on both sides and played more than their usual share of minutes. Coaches unveiled tactical adjustments at a lightning pace, counters to counters at a rate you usually only see in the playoffs. There was even a lot of zone defense (which, if you read Basketball Poetry, you would’ve been prepared for!). The refs were largely inobtrusive and inconsequential.
Frankly, if you didn’t like this game, there’s not much hope for you.
Something that struck me halfway through an exquisite third quarter: everyone on the court was simply doing their job. I don’t love how that sentence reads on paper; it makes it sound like a dull affair, people clocking in and clocking out before going to a chain bar with flashing neon signs instead of character for their preferred domestic light pilsner of choice.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. What is an NBA player’s job if not to entertain?
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Ranking Jaylen Wells surpasses Zach Edey in the latest Kia Rookie Ladder, highlighting his impressive rise in the rankings and performance metrics. (Beale Street Bears)
Injury NBA fans are reacting to the recent Ja Morant injury news before the Grizzlies’ game against the Rockets, expressing concern over the impact on the team. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor A recent report details a failed Grizzlies trade for a new Lakers player, sparking discussions about missed opportunities. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Rockets will confront the Grizzlies at FedExForum at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Analysis A look at the state of zone defense in the NBA. Who’s running it, and who isn’t? (Basketball Poetry)
Must Read NBA greats think this D-II coach is a basketball genius. So why don’t you know who Jim Crutchfield is? (The Athletic)
Analysis Is this the worst rookie class in modern NBA history? Jared Dubin examines box-score production to compare this year’s rookies to the past. (Last Night in Basketball)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players and Surprising Drops
Jan 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti/John Hefti-Imagn Images
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, it’s crucial to stay on top of the fantasy basketball waiver wire. Let’s dive into the most added and dropped players over the last 48 hours, and discuss some must-roster options for your fantasy teams.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. tops the list of most added players on Basketball Monster. While he’s had two solid games recently, I’m cautious about his long-term value, especially if Jimmy Butler is traded. Remember, any incoming player in a Butler trade could easily take over his role and minutes.
Ryan Dunn is another popular add, likely due to the Suns’ five-game week. However, he’s not a long-term hold for 12-team leagues. Use him for the extra games this week, but be prepared to move on quickly.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is seeing increased opportunities with Paul George out, making him a solid short-term add. Naji Marshall has also been playing well and is worth considering, despite a recent poor shooting night.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Ja Morant’s poster dunk on Victor Wembanyama highlights Memphis Grizzlies win over Spurs This is the Ja Morant we all know and love. The guy confident and audacious enough to DUNK ON VICTOR WEMBANYAMA! The guard that can dish out assists at an elite level while limiting turnovers. Memphis Grizzlies fans saw superstar Ja Morant on Wednesday night. How could you not be entertained? Host Joe Mullinax breaks down the game, Memphis’ depth, and GG Jackson’s slow but steady return progressing through the G-League on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Are the Houston Rockets a bad matchup for the Memphis Grizzlies? Is it a silly question? Sure, the Grizzlies have lost three straight to the Rockets. But Memphis collapsed in the fourth quarter while having a double-digit lead. So who would have the advantage in a seven game series - the Grizzlies, or Houston? Hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax break that down and preview Memphis’ game with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Memphis Grizzlies crumble in fourth quarter, lose again vs Rockets The Memphis Grizzlies dropped their third game this season against the Houston Rockets. In this episode, host Damichael Cole recaps the game, discusses key Taylor Jenkins decisions and provides an update on GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr.
