Memphis was crushed by the Cavs less than 24 hours after beating the Lakers in Memphis. The Lakers victory was important because it kept the Grizzlies from losing 4 straight games. The schedule doesn't get any easier either. The Grizzlies have been very difficult to beat at home and will be well rested for the first time since they had three straight days off for the Christmas holiday. The days off should help the Grizzlies regain their swagger which appeared to be slipping do to the heavy workload recently. The one bright spot during the 4 games in 5 days stretch was the play of Lester Hudson. Hudson showed he might become a legitimate bench scorer some day in the NBA. The last time the Grizzlies played the Rockets they were destroyed. That led to a players only meeting and basically turned the season around for the team. This will be a good time to show the league just how far the Grizzlies have truly come.

Houston ended their longest home stand of the season with a win over Golden State Tuesday. That win salvaged what could only be described as a disappointing home stand. The Rockets lost 4 of the 6 games. NOt that the games were all that winnable but Houston went 5-9 in January so the team is definitely not playing their best basketball. Houston has been beating bad teams but not beating good teams. This game is important for the Rockets to get back on track. Head Coach Rick Adleman will need to find some answers quick as the Rockets are sliding out of the playoff picture the way the team is playing right now.  The Rockets destroyed and embarressed the Grizzlies the first time they met this season. That should give the Rockets some confidence heading into Memphis.

Positional Analysis: 

 
Point Guards: Mike Conley vs Aaron Brooks
Aaron Brooks is small, fast and fearless. Mike Conley is small, fast and people are constantly worried about his psyche. That in a nutshell describes the difference between these two third year point guards. Brooks never worries about a missed shot or gets his feelings hurt by people not being nice to him. Brooks is a point guard with small man's syndrome. He is going to attack, attack, attack until either his opponent or him is dead. Conley's game is starting to slip a bit after looking better in January. Did someone write something mean about him?
Advantage: Houston

 
Shooting Guards: O J Mayo vs Trevor Ariza
Ariza is an excellent defensive player who envisions himself the next Kobe Bryant. O J Mayo is an excellent shooter and playmaker at the SG position who envisions himself the next Chauncey Billups or Jason Kidd. One of them could be right. Unfortunantly for Houston it probably isn't Ariza. Trevor's been colder than the kid in A Christmas Story who stuck his tongue to the flag pole and many Rocket fans wish he was that kid. Ariza is shooting 38% from the field and 30% from the arc but that hasn't slowed him down from shooting the ball. Mayo on the other hand has maintained a high scoring average on fewer shots by increasing his efficiency. The question will be can he get his shot off against the taller Ariza. The difference is Mayo will find others open to take shots if that is the case while Ariza will just keep shooting.
Advantage: Memphis

 
Small Forwards: Rudy Gay vs Shane Battier
Rudy and Shane will forever be viewed together since that fateful night in June when Jerry West traded Shane away for the rights to Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift. The Grizzlies franchise hadn't won more than 24 games in a season since the trade while Houston hasn't missed the playoffs. Maybe all the blame can't be placed on Rudy but it was a turning point for the team. This year Rudy is playing with more control, confidence and most importantly effort than ever before. Shane is playing like Shane. A little of this, some of that and whatever the team needs to win the game. It's hard to believe but Shane is now 31 yrs old and will turn 32 this year. His shooting percentages are down and will probably never get back and there is only so far intelligence can take you when the body isn't responding. Shane will always be a fan favorite in Memphis but people better hurry to see him play. His time is rapidly running out.  
Advantage: Memphis

 
Power Forwards: Zach Randolph vs Luis Scola
For people who like blue collar basketball this is the matchup for you. Scola averages 15 ppg, 8.6 rpg and fights hard for everyone of those stats. The Argentine was actually given some thought for the All-Star game this season prior to Zach ascendancy. Zach Randolph has surprised most people with his high level of play and shocked everyone with his low level of off-court antics. Perhaps most encouraging is that Randolph not only outscores Scola, out-rebounds Scola but he out-assists Scola, out-steals Scola and out-blocks Scola too! No one calls Scola a black hole on offense or a matador defender either. Two great hard working players but Randolph also has a bit more talent which makes all the difference.
Advantage: Memphis  

 
Centers: Marc Gasol vs Chuck Hayes
If there is a mismatch in this game greater than the point guard battle on paper it has to be this one. Marc Gasol is 7-1, burly, mean and tenacious at home and after a few days rest. Chuck Hayes is a grinder who at 6-6 shouldn't be able to do half of what he does. Lacking the pysical ability to play with big centers he simply outworks them instead and counts on his teammates to help out when needed and Houston does play fantastic team defense. In the first meeting between these teams Hayes had 6 pts and 8 rebounds while holding gasol to 3 pts and 7 boards. How is that even possible? Well the Grizzlies aren't shell-shocked wide eyes kids any more. This matchup should show just how far they have come.
Advantage: Memphis

 
Benches: Memphis vs Houston
Houston is not a team that goes 12 men deep but the bench is productive just the same. Carl Landry is the second leading scorer on the Rockets team and he comes off the bench. You could combine everyone on the Grizzlies bench and they wouldn't equal the second best scorer's numbers. Throw in the "Great" Kyle Lowry, David Andersen and Chase Budinger and you have a solid if unspectacular bench. No one else really gets any court time at all. Memphis' bench is getting deeper and deeper. Carroll is earning consistent minutes now, Haddadi and Thabeet are rotating time at backup C, Sam Young and Lester Hudson are capable of scoring in bunches too but the parts don't equal the whole which is the Rockets.
Advantage: Houston 

Other Commentary: 
Red94 - An ESPN TrueHoop Blog
Beyond the Arc 
Grizzed by VanJulio 
Straight Out of Vancouver 
David Loves the Grizzlies

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