The NBA schedule is a grind, but every so often, you hit a matchup that just feels different. Honestly, that’s where we are with the Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies. It used to be a battle of "who can rebuild faster," but in 2026, it’s turned into something much more physical and, frankly, a bit personal. If you’ve been watching these two lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
The Alperen Sengun and Jaren Jackson Jr. Chess Match
When you look at the Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies on paper, you might focus on the guards. I get it. But the real heavy lifting is happening in the paint. Alperen Sengun has basically become a hub for everything Houston does. He’s not just a center; he’s a 6'11" playmaker who forces you to make a choice. Do you double him and risk a kick-out to Jalen Green, or do you leave him one-on-one?
Most teams struggle with that. Memphis doesn't.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is still that defensive ghost who seems to be everywhere at once. He’s one of the few humans on earth who can actually bother Sengun's "Sombor Shuffle" style of footwork. Last time they met, Jackson recorded 3 blocks in the first half alone, and you could see the frustration on Sengun’s face. It’s a high-level chess match. One guy uses leverage and vision; the other uses pure length and timing.
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Why the Pace of Play is Lying to You
You’d think a game featuring Ja Morant and Amen Thompson would be a 140-point shootout. Not really. While the Rockets have surged this season—hitting a top-10 defensive rating under Ime Udoka—the Grizzlies have leaned back into that "Grit and Grind" identity, even if it looks a bit faster with Ja at the helm.
- Rockets Home Dominance: Houston has been nearly untouchable at the Toyota Center lately, winning 11 of their last 12 at home.
- The Under Trend: Betting lines have consistently favored the "Under" because both teams have become obsessed with half-court execution.
- The Steven Adams Factor: Let's not forget the emotional layer. Seeing Steven Adams in a Rockets jersey after years of him being the heartbeat of Memphis still feels... wrong. But his presence has given Houston a mean streak they desperately needed.
The Ja Morant Problem
Look, we have to talk about Ja. When he’s on, he’s the most terrifying player in the Western Conference. There was a stretch in November where he was averaging nearly 28 points and 9 assists, basically single-handedly keeping Memphis in the hunt. But Houston’s defensive scheme is built specifically to stop guys like him.
Udoka loves to throw multiple looks at elite guards. You’ll see Dillon Brooks (the ultimate Memphis villain now) chirping in Ja's ear, followed by Amen Thompson using his ridiculous 7-foot wingspan to wall off the rim. It’s exhausting to watch, so imagine playing against it.
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In their November 5th meeting, the Rockets managed to pull away for a 124-109 win. Why? Because they turned Morant into a passer and dared everyone else to beat them. Desmond Bane is great, but when he’s forced to be the primary creator because Ja is trapped, the Grizzlies' offense tends to stall.
Jalen Green vs. Desmond Bane: The Scoring Gap
It's wild to see how much Jalen Green has matured. He’s currently averaging about 25.5 points per game this season, and his efficiency has finally caught up to his athleticism. He’s shooting over 40% from deep in 2026, which is a massive leap from his early "volume shooter" days.
Bane, on the other hand, is the steady hand. He might not give you the 40-point explosions Green is capable of, but he’s going to give you 22 points, 5 rebounds, and elite spacing every single night. In the Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies rivalry, this is the matchup that usually decides the fourth quarter. If Green gets hot, Houston wins by 15. If Bane hits three triples in a row during a Memphis run, it becomes a dogfight.
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The New Blood: Reed Sheppard and GG Jackson
We can’t ignore the young guys. Reed Sheppard has been a revelation for Houston, providing that "brainy" basketball that balances out Jalen Green’s chaos. On the flip side, GG Jackson continues to be the best "second-round steal" in recent memory for Memphis. These aren't just bench fillers anymore; they’re playing high-leverage minutes in the fourth quarter.
What’s Actually at Stake?
Right now, the Western Conference standings are a mess. Houston is sitting comfortably in the top 6, while Memphis is clawing at the Play-In tournament spots. Every time these two meet, it feels like a tiebreaker that will matter deeply in April.
If you're looking at the Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies matchup as just another mid-season game, you're missing the subplots. It’s about Brooks vs. Morant. It’s about Sengun vs. JJJ. It’s about the fact that both these teams think they are the "next big thing" in the West.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're watching or betting on the next game on January 26th at the Toyota Center, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the First 6 Minutes: Houston tends to start games with a massive defensive intensity at home. If Memphis can survive the initial punch and keep it within 4 points by the first timeout, they usually hang around.
- The Rebound Margin: Houston leads the league in offensive rebounding percentage. If Jaren Jackson Jr. gets into foul trouble early (which happens more than Grizzlies fans like to admit), the Rockets will absolutely feast on second-chance points.
- Target the Bench Minutes: The Rockets' bench depth with Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore is statistically superior to the Grizzlies' current rotation. Memphis needs a massive game from their bench scorers—like Luke Kennard—to offset that gap.
- Check the Injury Report: Both teams have been "hit or miss" with health this season. If Marcus Smart is out, the defensive pressure on Jalen Green disappears, and he will likely go for 30+.
The Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies rivalry isn't just about highlights anymore. It's about two different philosophies of building a winner finally clashing in their prime years. It's loud, it's messy, and it’s some of the best basketball you’ll see this year.