Rockets at Grizzlies
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies were feeling relieved following the last visit by the Houston Rockets in December. Zach Randolph had 23 points to lead the Grizzlies to a 20-point romp over Houston for its first win of the season. Randolph suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the next game and Memphis been straddling the .500 mark since. The Rockets, sitting two games above the Grizzlies in the Southwest Division, close out a six-game road trip in Memphis on Tuesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Houston (Rockets), SportSouth (Grizzlies)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (16-12): Houston had a three-game winning streak snapped at Golden State on Sunday. The one silver lining was seeing leading scorer Kevin Martin emerge from a deep slumber. Despite dealing with back spasms, Martin erupted for 28 points to snap out of a dreadful four-game stretch in which he scored a total of 16 points and missed all nine 3-point attempts. Martin has torched the Grizzlies on a regular basis, averaging 25.8 points in 25 games against them.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (14-14): Memphis’ offensive issues continued in a 98-88 home loss to the Utah Jazz on Sunday. During their five-game homestand, which ends Tuesday, the Grizzlies have scored more than 88 points only once. In face, Memphis has reached 100 points only once in the last 13 games – and needed overtime to do it. Leading scorer Rudy Gay is averaging 20.6 points in his last eight games, but hasn’t attempted a free throw in three of the last four.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Memphis has prevailed in two of the last three meetings – both at home – following a stretch in which Houston had won seven straight.
2. Randolph was cleared to participate in non-contact basketball drills and is targeting a return in early March.
3. Houston’s reserves combined for 29 points Sunday after going for 57 and 66 points in the previous two games.