The Memphis Grizzlies have reached their lowest point of a successful season after losing to the Houston Rockets for a third time in three tries. The young Houston Rockets have taken a commanding two-game lead over the Grizzlies for the West's second seed and clinched the season series following their come-form-behind victory last night.
The loss signaled a low point for a Memphis Grizzlies team with championship aspiration being outdueled again by the Rockets, this time in a game they had controlled for most of it. The Grizzlies took a 13-point lead early in the fourth quarter only to be outscored 33-18 the rest of the game to fall to 2-4 in the new year following the 120-118 defeat.
The loss gave the Grizzlies another close loss against a Western Conference contender, which will hurt them in tiebreaker scenarios if it comes down to that at the season's end. However, sitting at the third seed line and returning some key pieces soon, the Grizzlies are in good standing and can bounce back from this demoralizing loss.
The Grizzlies are 11-3 following a loss this season
The Houston Rockets might have the Grizzlies number this season but they have one last regular season matchup between them later this month on January 30th. What helps the Grizzlies in the short term before their final matchup against the Rockets is they have won the game following their first two losses in their matchups.
After the Rockets defeated the Grizzlies by 20 points in Houston on October 25th, the Grizzlies returned home to defeat the Orlando Magic in their home opener the next night by 13 points. Then, this past weekend the Grizzlies rebounded from a close home loss to the Rockets to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minnesota on Saturday night.
Next, the Grizzlies travel to San Antonio to take on another young team in the Spurs. Considering the Grizzlies have only lost three back-to-back games this season, their chances at rebounding this time are high.
Their average margin of victory in their 11 wins following a loss this season is 16.5 points, meaning Memphis doesn't take too kindly to losses. Despite the disappointment in their recent loss to the Rockets, the NBA's midseason point is just now being reached.
With roughly another 42 games left to play and the returns of GG Jackson, Vince Williams Jr., and Marcus Smart being imminent, the chances for the Grizzlies to catch the Rockets for the two-seed without worrying about a tiebreaker is there for the taking.