The Houston Roundball Review Media Group covers sports
by: Kris Gardner. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Naismith, USBWA, WBHOF, and Wooden awards.
Contact Kris Gardner for details pertaining to advertising on the website; the blogs; and / or the podcasts.
Rockets lose 133-84 to the Grizzlies
POSTED: February 28, 2021 -- 11:55 p.m. CT
HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets got blasted 133-84 by the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday night. Houston has lost 11 consecutive games.
After the game, Rockets guard John Wall was asked about the long losing streak.
Wall's answer: "This shit is ass. It's terrible."
Despite making only 6 of 25 shots in the first quarter, the Rockets were competitive in the quarter and trailed 25-18 at the end of the quarter. The wheels fell off the bus in the second quarter. The Grizzlies doubled up the Rockets 38-19 in the second quarter.
Houston shot a frigid 31.2% (5 for 16) from the floor including a robust 0 for 7 from three-point range. Conversely, Memphis shot 55.6% (15 for 27 from the floor and made 3 out 8 three-point attempts.
The Grizzlies flew by the Rockets and outscored them 13-0 in fast break points.
Houston shot 11 for 41 (26.8%) in the first half and only 10.0% (2 for 20) from three-point range.
Houston (11-21) trailed 63-37 at halftime.
The Rockets continued clanging threes in the second half. Houston missed 25 consecutive three-pointers before rookie guard Mason Jones ended the misery with a three-point basket for a 3 for 35 three-point performance. Houston finished the game 4 for 45 from three.
FOUR FOR FORTY-FIVE FROM THREE. That's 8.9% and it's the fewest threes made in a game by a team with 40 or more 3-point attempts in league history.
"I just feel like we all just hit that bad streak at one time," Jae'Sean Tate said after the game. "Hopefully, we can all hit that good streak; and, we can all start hitting on all cylinders. I feel like we're going to. I really feel it."
The Grizzlies outshot the Rockets 53.2% to 27.7%. The 27.7 fg% is the lowest field goal percentage in franchise history (previously 28.8% vs. Oklahoma City on November 16, 2014).
Justise Winslow had a game-high 20 points tonight for the Grizzlies. Winslow, the 2014 winner of the Guy V. Lewis Award, made his season debut on February 20 and scored a total of 21 points in three games played entering tonight. Winslow's last 20-point game came for Miami at Minnesota on October 27, 2019.
Rockets Head Coach Stephen Silas summed up the Rockets' performance, "This was embarrassing."
NOTES:
The Rockets are shooting 40.4% during their 11-game losing streak after shooting 45.6% the first 21 games of the season.
The last time Houston had fewer than 5 threes made in a game was when they had 3 vs. New Orleans on March 2, 2016. The Rockets are 10-8 when hitting at least 13 3-pointers this season and 1-13 when having fewer.
Houston had a season-high 41 free throw attempts tonight and has recorded 30 or more in three of the past seven games after doing so twice prior this season. However, the Rockets are 0-5 when having 30 plus free throw attempts this season after going 17-6 when doing so in 2019-20.
NEXT:
"We got another opportunity tomorrow," said Jae'Sean Tate.
The Rockets' next game is Monday night, March 1, at home, versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip is set for 8 p.m. Central Time.
CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.