Overmatched from opening tip
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There’s an old NBA adage that in playoff series, when the underdog has a chance to steal Game 1 on the road and falls short, it is in deep trouble in Game 2. The Rockets were not in the postseason, but saw what the real thing looks like, with no idea how much trouble, or what to do about it.
On the night the Grizzlies clinched their playoff spot, having locked down their second consecutive division championship with Wednesday’s lastminute win against the Rockets, the Grizzlies gave the Rockets a taste of that postseason experience.
Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins worked the word “urgency” into nearly every answer in the pregame media availability. When the game began, his Grizzlies demonstrated everything he had in mind.
The Grizzlies pounced from the start, scoring with spectacular ease, and then became even more dominant, running the lead to 37 points when they began clearing the bench with 10 minutes still left. They finished with a 151-114 romp, Memphis’ highest scoring game of the season, within two of the most the Rockets have allowed.
There were few areas in which the Grizzlies did not overwhelm the Rockets, but they especially torched the Rockets from the 3point line, coming one short of the most 3s ever made by a Rockets opponent by sinking 25 of 42 shots from deep. Luke Kennard made 10 of 11 attempts, to match Trevor Ariza, then with Washington, for the most 3s by a Rockets opponent.
Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason combined for 41 points. But the Rockets were not in the game after the first few minutes, with the blowout assured when the Grizzlies finished the first half with a 17-2 blast, and never looked back.
Scorching
Finally, even Kennard could not believe it. He drained his 10th 3-pointer (in 11 tries) and went back on defense with an expression of amazement as he seemed to mouth the word “whoa.”
The Grizzlies’ exquisite execution and his phenomenal shooting led to his career night. But the Rockets did not take anything away. They did not interfere with all that execution. The Grizzlies ran their offense and the Rockets let them.
Still, Kennard had to go flame-thrower. He was not the only one. Desmond Bane made 5 of 7 3s. Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones combined to go 5 of 7. But Kennard in the third quarter took five 3-pointers and made five 3-pointers. After he added one more, he took a seat with 9½ minutes still left, having tied Ariza’s record for 3-pointers made by a Rockets opponent, with no need to keep piling on.
Breaks should be fast
Jalen Green lost the ball, and the Rockets stopped. His pass was deflected by Brooks and the few Rockets that got back at all, got there in slow motion. So, Brooks looked around, saw no one nearby in red, and decided to spike the ball.
He flipped his pass off the backboard for Jaren Jackson Jr. to grab with two hands and slam home, pushing a lead that would reach 33 to 74-50 with 1:41 left in the first half.
The Rockets had been outplayed through most of the first half, but had gone on an 8-0 run to regain the Grizzlies’ attention. Memphis would finish the half outscoring the Rockets, 17-2, in less than a 2½ minute stretch.
The blowout was made worse with the Rockets unable to make open shots. While the Grizzlies went 14 of 25 on 3s in the first half, the Rockets made 2 of 11.
But there is little they can do about that. They can get back defensively, and do something when they get there, far better than they did while the Grizzlies toyed with them.
The Grizzlies average 17.3 fast break points, third most in the league. They had that 10 minutes into the game. This was not because of piles of turnovers, as is often the case when the Rockets give up fastbreak points. They had five in the first half, though a few of the Grizzlies’ blocked shots were from swiping down on drives before the ball was released and triggered breaks the other way.
This was largely because the Rockets did not get back and pick up anyone. The Grizzlies looked to run at every opportunity, often while the Rockets looked to officials for help.
Hit the weights
If the Rockets needed another reminder of the weight room work ahead this summer, the Grizzlies provided it.
That was not entirely how they thoroughly dominated Friday’s blowout. But when the Rockets got to the lane, the Grizzlies scored with bodies that looked ready for a pose off. Even little bumps had the Rockets flailing and looking to officials for help that did not come.
On the other end, the Grizzlies looked for that contact, throwing broad shoulders into the Rockets to protect the ball and putting in layups.
Ja Morant’s phenomenal ability to finish without heft indicated that it can be done without looking like furniture movers. After missing his first five shots, Green found a way, making four of the Rockets’ next six. But he and Kevin Porter Jr. routinely got in the lane, only to be met by a defensive line ready to make a goal-line stand, repeatedly losing the ball.
The Rockets can add that to the list of examples of games to serve as motivation when the weight work grows old.