Rockets face Grizzlies missing key players. Can Houston overcome their recent struggles to secure a vital win on the road?
On Friday March 27th, the Houston Rockets (43-29) will be playing close to home against a division rival, the Memphis Grizzlies (24-48). These are two teams at completely different ends of the spectrum, and the rosters reflect that.
When: Friday, March 27th @ 7:00 PM CT
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis
Where to watch: Local Broadcasting, NBA League Pass (with subscription)
Rockets vs. Grizzlies Injury Report
Coming into the game this evening, Houston will of course be without Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams again. Nothing new here. On the other side of things, Memphis has nearly an entire roster missing. This has also been something that their team has come to expect, as much as it might disappoint the fans.
Houston Rockets:
Out: Steven Adams (Left Ankle Surgery Recovery)
Out: Fred VanVleet (Right Knee ACL Surgery Recovery)
Out: Tristen Newton (G League/Two-Way)
Memphis Grizzlies:
Out: Santi Aldama (Right Knee Surgery Recovery)
Out: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Right 5th Finger Surgery Recovery)
Out: Zach Edey (Left Ankle and Elbow Surgery Recovery)
Out: Ja Morant (Left Elbow UCL Sprain)
Out: Brandon Clarke (Right Calf Strain)
Out: Ty Jerome (Left Ankle Sprain)
Out: Scotty Pippen Jr. (Right Great Toe Surgery Recovery)
Out: Jaylen Wells (Right Great Toe Soreness)
Doubtful: Jahmai Mashack (Left Ankle Sprain and Nasal Fracture)
As previously mentioned, this is no surprise to see on the injury report for Memphis this season. Nine guys listed is extreme, but that's just the turmoil they've had to endure. They're hoping to rebuild after trading away Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the past nine months or so. A long fall from grace in short order.
They shouldn't be underestimated though, no matter what their 24-48 record may lead teams to believe. Just last week they used the energy from their home crowd to shock the Nuggets in an upset. After losing two straight games in embarrassing fashion, the Rockets need to make it a point to dominate this matchup tonight.
Houston's last outing had fans hoping for an exciting game with major playoff implications, but we got to witness an all-time blunder on ESPN instead. As previously covered on Roundtable, the Rockets were on the wrong side of a historic night and badly need to get that taste out of their mouths.
If this isn't the perfect opportunity to do that, then I don't know what is.
Ime Udoka and his team has the chance to face an injury riddled team who isn't necessarily looking to win more games. A chance to get back to .500 on the road after going 1-4 away from home this month.
Tune in to see if they can avoid embarrassment, or if they'll head to New Orleans on an even lower note.