Rockets 93, Grizz 72: At Least It’s Over

Oct 25, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) posts up against Houston Rockets small forward Omri Casspi (18) during the third quarter at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies lose to Houston Rockets 92 – 73. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

I think CBS’ Matt Moore summed it up best:

Maybe it’s good that the Grizz got this out of their system. 31.2% from the field (20% in the first half, 8% to open the game) is not indicative of anything but a bad shooting night. Gasol somehow led all scorers with 17, despite going 4-13 from the floor;  the rest of the starters (all of whom played) were 4-20. The bench was no help: 1-4 from Mike Miller (all threes), 3-10 from Quincy Pondexter, and 1-5 for Jerryd Bayless.

If there’s good news, it’s that this has the potential to be a chippy rivalry, the kind of grudge match Memphis really enjoys. Gasol and Howard got double-techs after a shoving match in the the first quarter (OK, Marc started that one). Ed Davis was ejected for sweeping Donatas Motiejunas across the arms, but I chalk that up to poor body control rather than malice of forethought. Harden left the game in the first quarter after bumping knees with Quincy Pondexter on a 4-point play. The Rockets obviously got the better of this one, and Memphis almost never wins in Houston, but I suspect this will be an intense season series.

Things We Shouldn’t Worry About:

Shooting: Off nights happen. There were no shortage of good looks for Memphis’ shooters — they just weren’t falling. Even in the paint, Marc, Zach, and Ed had trouble putting it in the basket, and while Dwight Howard didn’t help, there’s no reason to believe it is a trend.

Prince: At least in this game. 0-3 from the field with 3 turnovers obviously isn’t starter-esque, but the dude is coming off (reportedly) the world’s worst stomach bug and played just 15 minutes. My guess if Joerger just wanted floor time out of Tayshaun and little else.

4-4: Memphis faced Chicago, Toronto, Houston, and Dallas this preseason, all of whom have revamped their starting line-ups and are much more invested in getting things to work before the games count. Each of those teams needs a proof of concept before the season starts, a game in which the new pieces show how they’ll work in the new system. Memphis on the other hand — we’re more concerned with staying healthy. This team can’t win on cruise control. They know that, and they’re okay with it for now.

Things We Should Worry About:

Turnovers: 39 turnovers in two games is alarming. Gasol and Randolph seem to be the primary culprits, but really it’s a whole team effort, and it needs to get under control. Maybe it’s a byproduct of a faster-paced offense, but it’s extremely damaging to offensive efficiency, so I doubt Joerger is willing to let it slide. Memphis was a 13.2 turnovers-per-game team last year (4th in the league), and it was an essential part of their possess-and-defend style.

Free Throws: 67% through two games is… discouraging. And I don’t buy the “it’s the preseason” excuse on this one, because free throws should practically be a secondary motor function. Free throws can save bad shooting nights against foul-prone teams: the only reason Marc notched 17 last night was because he got to the line. The Grizz left 13 points on the table in this category.

Interior Defense: This was the most befuddling part of the game to me. Lin, Beverly, Harden (briefly), and even Parsons were in the paint on just about every play, rising over Prince, Z-Bo, and Davis. The Grizzlies’ rim protection was basically non-existent, and it was an unfamiliar sight.

I for one am glad to put this shaky preseason in the rear view. The Grizz travel to San Antonio to take on the Spurs for their annual season-opening loss, at 7:30 p.m. CT on October 30.