Rockets vs. Grizzlies According to the Memphis Commerical Appeal

As they said on the postgame radio show last night, the Grizz are bad but at least they aren't nearly as bad as the Celtics.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_5333779,00.html

Rockets hand Griz third straight loss
Photo Alan Spearman/The Commercial Appeal

Houston's Shane Battier, a former Grizzly, guards Mike Miller during Tuesday's game. Defense like this limited Miller to 12 points.

Like always, Battier appeared genuinely overwhelmed by the reception in his latest return with the Houston Rockets.

The state of the Grizzlies seemed to stagger Battier a bit, too.

"The big fella (Pau Gasol) got hurt, and there was just too much adversity after that. I feel bad for them because they're all good guys and they're trying hard," Battier said before he helped the Rockets hand the Grizzlies a 98-90 loss Tuesday night before an announced crowd of 12,496.

In the big picture, the Grizzlies' clearly are determined to rebuild through a youth movement.

The Rockets, meanwhile, came to town with a short-term goal. They weren't interested in the fast-paced, bombs away affair that characterized the last meeting between these teams.

In that vein, the Griz ran into a dogged Rockets squad that dictated pace and imposed its defensive will, taking the Griz out of the offensive comfort zones they've routinely enjoyed under interim head coach Tony Barone Sr.

Running wasn't much of an option on this night.

And the Griz were horrific from 3-point range, launching just 18 long-range shots and converting only two of them. Mike Miller saw a 26-game streak of scoring at least one 3-pointer end as he went 0 for 8 from beyond the arc.

Memphis mostly labored to execute on offense despite Pau Gasol's 30 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and five blocks. The Griz shot just 43 percent, which included Miller's 5-of-17 outing and Damon Stoudamire going 1 for 7.

"We shut down their strengths," Houston's Tracy McGrady said after scoring a game-high 33 points. "We were just trying to make things tough on Gasol and stay with Mike Miller. It was really a team effort."

Miller found little breathing room and was often crowded when he caught the ball around the 3-point stripe.

"They came in with a game plan and made me work," said Miller, who scored 12 points. "When you have to work that hard for shots, it's difficult. Plus, they did a good job of scoring inside and getting set in their defense. It was hard for us to run that way."

It was no surprise the Rockets concentrated on slowing Miller. The Griz guard dropped 32 points (seven 3-pointers) on the Rockets Dec. 31 during a 111-109 loss.

"They were all over him and really made it tough for him to get in the rhythm that he's been in all season," Barone said after the Grizzlies' third straight loss and fifth defeat in the past six games.

Houston, which won its sixth game in the past seven outings, enjoyed more offensive balance. The Rockets had five score in double figures, including Juwan Howard's 17 points and Battier's 14.

The Griz closed a 13-point deficit to three early in the fourth period. But Battier scored on a short hook and followed with an 18-foot shot. The Griz never regrouped because they kept misfiring from the perimeter. The Rockets later led by 11 with three minutes left.

"We couldn't get stops when we needed to," Gasol said. "For them, T-Mac made a few shots and then Shane got going, too. We couldn't keep the pressure up."

The Griz just wore down in the second half in a physical contest.

Their interior defense was again porous and when Chuck Hayes beat the Grizzlies' big men down court for an uncontested layup, Barone called for time and made changes on the front line.

Gasol and Lawrence Roberts were benched in favor of Hakim Warrick and Alexander Johnson. The rookie, Johnson, at least attempted to defend the post.

"We were looking for some tenacity," Barone said. "We were looking for some offensive rebounds, and I thought Alexander did a good job."

The Grizzlies' only real threat happened in the third period when they closed a double-digit deficit to 72-71 with a 16-6 run. But McGrady scored five straight points and the Rockets used a 13-5 spurt to re-establish control.

The Rockets failed to capitalize early but ended up sweeping the season series. That makes Battier perfect against his former team.

"It's great to come back home," Battier said. "Once the game starts, though, the professional aspect outweighs the personal one. Once the game starts, it's about getting the win."

-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353

 

If the Grizz had brought in an NBA-worthy head coach to replace him it might have worked. I knew the early burst of energy they got from dumping Fratello would wear off. The chaos was fun while it lasted but at some point in time a team needs clear direction from the coach, and Barone obviously cannot provide that over an extended period of time. Maybe for 4-5 games, but not 2/3 of a season.

For some reason, Jerry West still seems to have a reputation as a great GM even though his time at Memphis has been very mediocre. The Battier for Gay/Stro trade should finally nail that reputation in the coffin.