Memphis Grizzlies Set Up For Dress Rehearsal Against the Rockets

The Memphis Grizzlies have shown some good signs, and also some bad signs this preseason, but that is all apart of the growing process. Tonight it concludes against the Houston Rockets.

The Memphis Grizzlies preseason has shown some very positive signs towards being a team that could upset some top teams in the Western Conference, and then has had underwhelming performances like Wednesday nights loss against a the Orlando Magic.

Memphis has already had the cards stacked against them without playing one regular season game, without the national media looking at them. Maybe they don’t want to pay attention, but Grizzlies Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff will be treating tonight’s matchup as a dress rehearsal.

A dress rehearsal that will be much needed against a Houston Rockets team that many project to end up in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year. A Rockets team that Memphis can handle with maturity, and they learned that in their first preseason game  in Birmingham, Alabama. 

A game where the Grizzlies lead 50 percent and played the more dominant style of ball. A defensive showcase, until Houston dragged Memphis into an offensive showdown that Memphis will never survive in, and the Grizzlies learned that. Memphis ended up losing in the final minute of the first half against Houston in Birmingham and never could reclaim the lead. Memphis fell by a score of 131-115.

Rockets Guard James Harden dropped 20 points in his 30 minutes of action and shot 5/12 from field. Harden pushed the gas petal against a Grizzlies team that was still in search of their rotations, but this matchup will be both teams.