Guards Jalen Green and Ja Morant will square off in Friday’s showdown in Houston.
Five things you need to know before a pair of promising clubs out West go head-to-head tonight (8 ET, NBA League Pass) in their second games of the season.
- Morant is back: After the Grizzlies’ season debut on Oct. 23 vs. Utah, fans will get a second look at a healthy Ja Morant, who hadn’t played since Jan. 5 due to a shoulder injury..
- Memphis without Morant: Before his season was cut short, Morant averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists and 5.6 boards in nine games for the Grizzlies, who went 6-3 with their superstar in the lineup but 21-52 without him.
- Hungry Grizzlies: The Grizzlies went 27-55 and missed the playoffs last season for the first time in four years. They aim to re-establish themselves as West contenders as they were the No. 2 seed in 2023.
- Prepare for takeoff? Like Memphis, Houston (41-41) also missed the playoffs last season. But, the Rockets finished the season at .500 after going 16-7 after March 2, a run that includes an 11-game win streak.
- Fresh fuel: Houston further bolstered it young core by drafting Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the 3rd overall pick in the Draft. He will appear in his second NBA game after posting 20 points and 5.3 assists per game in NBA Summer League play.
