Rockets Burn Grizz.

Colin Rafferty –

Another day, another dollar, another night to make a Grizz fan holla.

The Grizzlies fall short to the Houston Rockets 124-109. It wasn’t a great game but throughout it they were never out of it (although it felt like it), until around the 5-minute mark of the 4th.

It was weird, it didn’t look great, and fans were not happy about it. Discussions about Iisalo’s rotations, body language, and why isn’t there anybody on that man at the three point line again?

I cannot begin to explain why or how it is going this way, because I just don’t know. I will say that it doesn’t look great, but again maybe when they are healthy in the upcoming days it will change.

So, I will continue to believe that and will continue to say it.

Zach Edey does make a difference.

I am with fans though this coach seems to be putting unnecessary strain on his players. Maybe it’s strain on the coach to play some of these guys.

Whatever it is Ja and Jaren haven’t played well, but I also haven’t seen them play much together.

They always start together but then are staggered in rotations throughout the game; during times when it would seem you would want your best two players on the floor together.

Ja Morant finished the night with 17 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. posted 9 pts, 6 reb, and 5 blocks. Santi Aldama added 16 pts and 4 reb.

Once the Rockets got up by 10 the Grizz would claw back to get within 6, then boom another Houston run; that was the game, the Rockets hold the lead and fend off the Grizzlies runs that would come up short.

Grizzlies never broke the 30-point mark in any of the quarters, scoring 29 in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. That can’t keep happening if you want to win.

There has also been some cheeky officiating so far in the season, I won’t spend too much time on it; but the foul calls need to be quicker and called on both ends of the floor.

The Rockets played their game. They shot 43.3% to the Grizzlies 33.3% from three-point land (seemingly unguarded out there again), they led in rebounds, assists, points in the paint, and shot nearly 50% from the field (47.5%).

Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun were too much for the Grizz scoring 28 and 20, respectfully, with Thompson adding 10 rebounds and Sengun grabbing 16 off the glass.

The Grizz just didn’t have the dogs last night.

Ja said after the game about trying to build confidence in this stretch of games, “turn the page, come in tomorrow have a good day of practice, watch the film, go over the things we need to correct… and get ready to go for the next game.”

He also talked about how the team plays with space and when guys aren’t hitting their shots, defenses can pack the paint and can chip more, making it more difficult for guys like Jaren to get going.

I see this and I agree. Jaylen’s shot has not come around yet, KCP drives the lane but hasn’t found much outside the mid-range jumper, and Cam Spencer is the only guy who can consistently hit from deep.

Landale hits the three, but c’mon dude you’re a 7-footer get boards and put backs, stop hanging around the 3-point line.

Not winning games is never fun, but the fans came out last night and it was a good crowd. Sad to see it emptying out before the final buzzer.

Grizzlies will look to add Zach Edey back to rotation tomorrow. Hopefully he brings a little of the swagger back to this team.

He will be a much-welcomed addition to the floor. His size and ability near the rim will undoubtedly make me feel better about watching this team.

The Grizzlies next game is on Friday at home against the Dallas Mavericks. It’s an NBA Cup game and the big man is coming back.

The Mavericks (3-6) come in with the most recent #1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, so we will need all the fans we can get inside FedEx Forum and be loud.

Don’t let Mavericks fans act like they can come in here and own the place. This is the Grindhouse, the Forum, the 901 Den, go protect our home court.

Get your tickets now and cheer loud for the boys off Beale St.

Friday will be HBCU Night presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, a ‘Classic Edition Grizz Hat’ will be given out to the first 5,000 fans.

Tip-off is at 7 PM CST.