FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

In the painted area

1

The Rockets allow 52 points in the paint, the most in the NBA. But in the past four games, their interior defense has gotten even worse. Houston has allowed 60 paint points in the losing streak, including 62 in the loss to the Pacers on Friday, and have given up an average of 62.7 inside in their four games against the Grizzlies, including 72 when they met two weeks ago. That was the third most they have surrendered inside this season. Turning that around will be even more difficult than usual. The Grizzlies average 58.2 points in the paint per game, tied for the most since the NBA began tracking the statistic in the 1996-97 season.

A tale of turnovers

2

As much as conquering the Rockets’ turnover issues often seems to determine their chances, they average about the same number of turnovers and give up the same number of points off them in wins and losses. Against the Grizzlies, however, that was the difference. No team averages more turnovers than the Rockets’ 16.6 per game as they allow a league-high 21.5 points off turnovers per game. By halftime of the Rockets’ win against Memphis in Toyota Center, the Rockets had 14 leading to 20 Grizzlies points and the Rockets scored 52 first-half points. In the third quarter when Houston turned things around, it committed just two turnovers and scored 40 points, its most in a third this season.

Next man up

3

The Rockets’ four straight losses have come against four teams with at least two starters out. The Grizzlies will be missing just one starter, but it will be star guard Ja Morant (sore knee). Tyus Jones started Tuesday when Morant was out with a sore back and had 11 assists in the Grizzlies’ blowout win in Indianapolis. In three games off the bench vs. Houston this season, Jones has averaged 10 points and 5.3 assists in 22.9 minutes per game, making 46.4 percent of his shots.

Defending the 3-point line

4

The Grizzlies’ offense ranks fifth in the NBA, but they are just 24th in 3-point shooting percentage at 34.2 percent. In the Rockets’ win against the Grizzlies, Memphis missed its first 10 and last seven 3-pointers. The Grizzlies have averaged 120.3 points against the Rockets, but when they made just 19.2 percent of their 3-pointers in Toyota Center, they scored 112 in the Rockets’ 11-point win. The Grizzlies’ shaky 3-point shooting could make it important for the Rockets to take care of the ball and shoot well enough to keep Memphis in the halfcourt.

C-Wood encore?

5

Rockets coach Stephen Silas called Christian Wood’s performance against the Grizzlies the best game he had seen his center play. Wood might have topped it, at least offensively, on Friday. He had 28 points with 13 rebounds and two blocked shots, including the rejection of a late Morant 3-pointer that helped seal the win. On Friday, Wood had 32 points, 13 rebounds, a career-high seven assists and two blocked shots. But his late block of a 3-pointer led to a go-ahead putback with 19 seconds left in the Rockets’ loss.

INJURY/STATUS REPORT

Rockets: Guard John Wall (not with team), forward Trevelin Queen (G League assignment) and forward Usman Garuba (sprained right ankle) are out. Guard Eric Gordon (illness) is questionable.

Grizzlies: Guard Ja Morant (sore right knee), forward Killian Tillie (left knee soreness), center Santi Aldama (G League assignment), guard Tyrell Terry (G League assignment) and guard Yves Pons (G League assignment) are out.