There's no doubt that the Houston Rockets (13-12) are starting to get things rolling. Coming off back-to-back wins in which James Harden and Jeremy Lin each scored in high double-figures, Houston's No.2-ranked NBA offense is firing on all cylinders.
But the nigh-irresistible force of the Rockets' offense will have to be at its best tonight if they want to beat the Memphis Grizzlies (18-6), which has the league's top-ranked defense, as well as stars like Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph piloting the Grizzlies on an impressive looking season.
The last time these two teams met on Nov. 9 in Memphis, Randolph's 15 points and 14 rebounds and Gay's 21 points and a clutch basket helped Memphis beat Houston 93-85, containing Harden to just 18 points.
With the Rockets, who are 10-5 at home, hosting the Grizzlies, will the tables turn?
Latinos Post breaks down a list of the key match-ups for tonight's game:
Power Forward: Marcus Morris, Rockets vs. Zach Randolph, Grizzlies
Morris has done as decent a job as anyone could ask of filling in for injured up-and-comer Patterson, who will be sidelined until January with a foot injury. In the last 10 games, Morris is averaging 7.4 points per game with 4.2 rebounds.
That being said, this is Randolph's match-up to win. Having an MVP-like season so far, Randolph is averaging 18.3 points and 13.3 rebounds for the month of December, adding physical defense as well for the Grizzlies. He's one of the best power forwards in the game right now, so Morris will have to be on his game and needs to play this bull-like 6'9", 260-pounder strong and hard.
Advantage: Grizzlies
Center: Omer Asik, Rockets vs. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
Watch this match-up closely tonight, as two better centers you will be hard-pressed to find.
Asik, an All-Star candidate, has been solid in the low post all season for the Rockets, putting up 10.4 points and 11.4 rebounds in 2012-13. A walking double-double with a knack for defense, he's in valuable to a team who lacks defensive stoppers.
Gasol, on the other hand, has also been a staple in Memphis, averaging 13.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game--the latter stat making him 12th overall in the NBA for swatted shots.
Don't expect either of these two to give an inch tonight, as neither one can afford to.
Advantage: Even
Small Forward: Chandler Parsons, Rockets, vs. Rudy Gay, Grizzlies
Parsons has been dropping off on offense lately, averaging only 10 points in the last three games, but he is still a dangerous scoring threat, and has proven in the past that he can score in bunches.
Gay, meanwhile has been having a stellar year, scoring 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in the last 10 games, and represents the biggest scoring threat of all in the Grizzlies lineup. Parson must focus on keeping Gay contained instead of trying to match him point-for-point.
Advantage: Grizzlies
Shooting guard: James Harden, Rockets vs. Tony Allen, Grizzlies
Last time, Harden only scored 18 points against the Grizzlies. But on the tear he's been on this month, scoring 26.9 points this month, so to expect him to keep quiet tonight would be unwise.
This provides as tough a defensive assignment as they come for Allen, who is a defensive specialist, averaging 1.9 steals this season. Allen must keep Harden contained as he was last time, or the Grizzlies could fall prey to the driving and slashing play of the electrifying Harden.
Advantage: Rockets
Point guard: Jeremy Lin, Rockets, vs. Mike Conley, Grizzlies
It looks like Lin is getting his groove back. After struggling all season on offense, this has been a very good week for Lin, who scored 22 points in a big win in New York on Monday and 18 in another key game against Philadelphia on Wednesday. Coming off three days rest may either work to Lin's advantage, giving his knees rest, or it could have cooled him off.
We'll find out against Conley, who has not been shooting the ball well this season, only shooting 34.9 percent from the field in the last 10 games with 11.8 points and 6.4 points per game. Still, as his 17-point game against Chicago on Monday shows, Conley can still provide a spark on the offense.
If Lin can continue his offensive renaissance against Conley and the nearly impregnable Memphis defense, "Linsanity" may be experiencing a second coming in Houston.
Advantage: Even
For live streaming scores of tonight's game, go to this link.
To watch the action live, go to NBA's League Pass to watch the game on your computer.
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