In a historic defeat at home, the Rockets lost to the Grizzlies, 133-84 (box score), on Sunday at Toyota Center. By margin, it was the biggest win in Memphis franchise history, and the third-largest loss for Houston.
It’s the 11th straight loss for the Rockets (11-21), who shot the lowest percentage from the field (27.7%) of any game in team history. Houston shot 4-of-45 on 3-pointers (8.9%). Their 23 made field goals tied the lowest of any game by the Rockets, ever.
Asked if this was rock bottom for the Rockets, head coach Stephen Silas responded postgame: “I hope so. This was embarrassing.” It’s now the franchise’s longest losing streak in more than 20 years.
Veteran point guard John Wall led the Rockets with 14 points, but he shot just 4-of-16 from the field (25.0%). He had five turnovers and did not have any assists, rebounds, steals, or blocks.
The Grizzlies were led by strong bench performance from Justise Winslow (20 points) and Brandon Clarke (16 points, 12 rebounds), each in just 21 minutes. Overall, the Grizzlies (15-15) had more combined points from their reserves (85) than Houston’s entire team did in the game.
If that wasn’t the worst game in franchise history, it’s on the extreme short list. Back at it again tomorrow vs Cleveland.
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) March 1, 2021
Grizzlies 133, Rockets 84. Rockets with the worst shooting (27.7 %) in franchise history and 23 FGs, matching their fewest ever.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 1, 2021
Victor Oladipo did not play due to planned maintenance on the front end of a back-to-back for the Rockets, with Cleveland set to visit Toyota Center on Monday night. Oladipo should return for that game, though the status of Wall is not yet clear. To this point in the season, neither veteran guard has participated in both ends of a back-to-back scenario. As has been the case throughout the 11-game losing streak, star center Christian Wood (right ankle sprain) remained out, as well.
For now, see below for postgame reaction from a somber locker room. Monday’s game versus the Cavaliers tips off at 8:00 p.m. Central.
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Stephen Silas
https://twitter.com/cayleighgriffin/status/1366235353485557760 https://twitter.com/AdamSpolane/status/1366235232777736197 https://twitter.com/cayleighgriffin/status/1366233993465769985 https://twitter.com/AdamJWexler/status/1366233819695751169 https://twitter.com/AdamJWexler/status/1366239354398666753 https://twitter.com/AdamSpolane/status/1366233748287721474 https://twitter.com/cayleighgriffin/status/1366233523238141955 https://twitter.com/KellyIkoNBA/status/1366233384192794627 https://twitter.com/AdamSpolane/status/1366239087330484228 https://twitter.com/AdamSpolane/status/1366240205523603457
John Wall
https://twitter.com/KellyIkoNBA/status/1366243953922748421 https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/1366244166695596032 https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/1366246495050207235 https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/1366244614907256833 https://twitter.com/AdamJWexler/status/1366245232023662596 https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/1366247655236583427
Jae’Sean Tate
https://twitter.com/AdamSpolane/status/1366241433703895045 https://twitter.com/BenDuBose/status/1366240793300713479
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