Houston Rockets: 3 keys to defeating the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies already have two wins against the Houston Rockets this season. What are the keys for the Rockets to finally get a win against Memphis?

The Memphis Grizzlies aren’t an extremely talented team, but that hasn’t stopped them from giving the Houston Rockets a lot of trouble over the years.

The Grizzlies’ team identity has been that of a tough, slug-it-out kind of ball club. In an era of pace-and-space and position-less basketball, the Grizzlies look more like a 90’s team that is stuck in the wrong generation. After losing Zach Randolph and Tony Allen in the offseason, who are legends in Memphis, the success of the current era of Grizzlies basketball seemed to be coming to an end.

But the Grizzlies still have a little “Grit-N-Grind” left in the tank. Memphis is only allowing 98.0 points per game, which ranks third in the league. They’re playing absolutely smothering defense, defending the pick-and-roll well and disrupting 3-point shooters. The Grizzlies are holding their opponents to a league-leading 42.4 percent from the floor and just 32.2 percent from the 3-point line. Memphis is also forcing 16.5 turnovers per game, which is tied for seventh in the NBA.

In the first two meetings between Houston and Memphis, the Grizzlies have been the better team. The Rockets have struggled to generate any sort of offensive rhythm against Memphis, but that has to change. To give Houston the best chance at defeating the Grizzlies, there are three things that they have to improve on.

Next: No. 3