Memphis, TN — James Harden and Chris Paul combined for 37 points and 17 assists as the Houston Rockets (3-1) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies (2-3), 121-103.
This was both teams final preseason game, however, Houston and Memphis will play each other four more times in the regular season. In addition, both teams played some of their main players deep into the second half as both teams continued to build cohesion heading into the year.
In the first quarter, both teams started off cold. But, Houston found their stride hitting seven threes and finishing out the quarter on a 9-2 run to take an early 10-point lead, 31-21.
Memphis struggled to keep the Rockets off the offensive glass in the first quarter as Houston scored 15-second-chance points off of five offensive rebounds. In addition, the Grizzlies started off slowly as well as far as looking for someone to lead the offense. By the end of the opening frame, Memphis finished shooting a mere 44-percent from the field.
Despite a sub-par shooting performance early, Memphis’ Marc Gasol contributed six points, four rebounds, and three assists.
The Rockets continued their dominance going into the second quarter. Paul would hit two threes to begin the frame and led Houston on a quick 11-0 run. From there, the Rockets really pulled away as they went up by 27-points in the second. A big reason for the separation came to another seven triples from Houston.
On the opposing end, Memphis made a strong comeback, scoring 26-points on 10-of-16 in the period. By intermission, the Grizzlies had closed the gap and was only down by 16, 63-47.
The third quarter was all Houston yet again led by the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player, James Harden. Harden would take out the ingredients and start cooking as he scored 13 points in the period. Clint Capela also heated up as he finished with 12 points and 13 rebound to end the third.
The Rockets still held the advantage, 95-73, going into the final quarter.
By the final stanza, there was no difference as Houston maintained its lead. The Rockets finished the game hitting 20 three-point shots — their average amount of makes during the preseason — and scored 16 points off of the Grizzlies’ 25 turnovers. They took home an 18-point victory, 121-103, in the final dress rehearsal before the start of the regular season.
Takeaways
You never want to over analyze anything in preseason because of the adjustments that both teams will make and the questions that’ll need to be answered throughout the regular season. However, with this being both teams final preseason game, there are some things that stood out.
For Houston, they’re going to stick with the same game plan as last year: they’re going to try to outshoot you. One team they’ll really aim to outshoot will be the Golden State Warriors. If you watched tonight’s game, the Rockets passed up a lot of easy layups and mid-range jumpers to take threes. Houston attempted 47 three-point shots and only had 22 points in the paint.
This could come back to bite them in the rear as it did in last year’s playoff series against the Warriors. It’s going to be the same old play of Harden and Paul dribbling the basketball for a long duration of the shot clock, driving and dishing to open shooters. Not too many people like this brand of basketball, however, you can’t expect the Rockets to change what got them to the Western Conference finals last year.
Another question that the Rockets will have to answer is if Carmelo Anthony will start or come off the bench this season. Anthony came off the bench in this contest and finish the game with 11 points on 30 percent shooting. Although Anthony may not like it, coming off the bench would be the best thing that he could do for himself and the team.
Anthony is still one of the game’s best scorers and coming off the bench would mean that he would be able to beast and feast on other teams second stringers. He would be able to have more shot attempts than he would if he played with the first group and if he comes off the bench, it doesn’t mean that he won’t be used in late game situations.
For Memphis, this is going to be a young team and they’re trying to be a faster paced team but they’re stuck in the slow-paced mindset. This team has a lot of big bodies who can take advantage of teams in the post. In addition, the Grizzlies have to learn how to get the ball into their big men when they have the mismatch.
On several possessions when the Rockets would switch on screens, the Grizzlies had the advantage on the inside and failed to get the ball to Gasol and Jaren Jackson Jr. Although, the post players have to get more aggressive on the glass especially against young and athletic teams such as the Rockets.
Now you have to enjoy what you saw out of your young guys and more importantly Jackson Jr. tonight. He finished with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, however, had zero rebounds. He’s going to have to invest in a bottle of Windex and clean the glass when he’s on the floor.
Both teams will begin their regular seasons on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Houston will start their season at home against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Grizzlies will be on the road as they’ll start the season against the Indiana Pacers.
