Rockets vs. Grizzlies Preview: Sustaining Momentum Away From Home

MEMPHIS — The Houston Rockets (18-54) will embark on a five-game road trip, which is set to begin Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies (44-27) inside the FedEx Forum.

The Rockets' current road trip comes on the heels of an exceptional six-game homestand. Houston went 3-3 inside the Toyota Center while making significant strides in their development.

"Our togetherness and grit have been great," coach Stephen Silas said. "This trip that is coming up is a beast. We have to play Memphis twice, then Cleveland, New York and Brooklyn. It's going to be a tough trip. But I like going into the trip with the momentum we have established."

Silas said the improvements the Rockets have made with their late-game execution will be the key to a successful trip.

Houston began to enhance their late-game play after a fourth-quarter collapse to the Chicago Bulls on March 11. The lessons learned following the game led to the Rockets withstanding comeback attempts by the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

And in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, the Rockets battled back from a 16-point deficit to take a 114-112 victory. Jabari Smith Jr. recorded his first game-winning basket with a triple over the top of Pelicans' forward Naji Marshall.

"Over these last few games, I feel like we have been competitive," Smith said. "We have been fighting and sustaining runs. Now, it's just a matter of putting it all together."

Rockets vs. Grizzlies Broadcast Information:

Date: Wednesday, March 22
Time: 7:00 p.m.
TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 790 AM
Live Stream: League Pass

Houston Rockets Injury Report:

Jae'Sean Tate (left knee soreness) OUT

Memphis Grizzlies Injury Report:

Steven Adams (right knee PCL Sprain) OUT
Dillon Brooks (league suspension) OUT
Brandon Clarke (left Achilles tear) OUT
Vince Williams Jr. (right shoulder soreness) OUT

Can Jalen Green sustain his play on the road?

Jalen Green put on a show in the Rockets' loss to the Pelicans Sunday night by scoring 40 points (11-22 FG, 4-9 3PT, 14-14 FT). And following a 20-point performance against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, Green has averaged 23.6 points during Houston's six-game homestand.

The Grizzlies will be playing with high emotions due to the expected return of Ja Morant. And the Rockets will need Green to sustain his play for Houston to begin their road trip on the right note.

Cooling off the hot Grizzlies:

In Morant's absence, the Grizzlies may have experienced their most impressive eight-game stretch of the season and went 6-2 without their star point guard.

The Grizzlies completed the largest comeback in franchise history Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Memphis trailed by 29 points but took a 126-120 overtime victory inside the AT&T Center.

Gaining a member just to lose another:

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins expects Morant to return to the lineup after serving an eight-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the NBA. Morant has averaged 34.5 points on 57.7 percent shooting, 7.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds against the Rockets this year, which includes a season-high 49 points in the Grizzlies' victory on Oct. 21.

With Morant making his return, Dillon Brooks will serve a one-game suspension after picking up his 18th technical of the season.

You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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