Rockets Fall To Grizzlies

It's no secret that there are many in the Houston sports scene who feel that the decision to trade the rights to one Rudy Gay to Memphis in return for perennial role player Shane Battier was a mistake. Rudy Gay is, in his second year, averaging 19.7 points and 4.2 rebounds. Last night the two had a chance to go head to head when the Rockets visited FedEx Forum. Fortunately for Rocket fans, Gay racked up two quick fouls in the first few minutes of the game so he was forced to sit out for the majority of the quarter. Tracy McGrady, on the other hand, not only stayed on the floor but he owned it while going for 41 points on the night. McGrady's offense, along with Yao's 22 point contribution, was not enough to overcome a lackluster game by the Rockets bench. All eyes where on Battier as he finished the game with zero points and only four rebounds as he went 0 - 4 from the floor.

The Grizzlies Rudy Gay went for only 15 points, but it was the suprising contribution by Darko Milicic that made the largest impact when he dropped 20 points and 6 rebounds while only averaging 9.6 points before last night’s game. The Rockets were leading for most of the first half but squandered that lead in the final minutes leading up to half time and trailed for the remainder of the game. McGrady tried to do what he has been forced to do in previous years -- to carry the team on his back. This time it wasn't enough to overcome the Grizzlies.

So on one end you have the 21-year-old phenom who rose up against Luis Scola and Dikeme Mutombo for a dunk, while on the other you have Shane Battier who missed all of his shot attempts in the game. It seems like an easy choice to make if you had the chance to make it again. But Gay would not be getting the minutes he is receiving in Memphis on this Rockets squad as they are being used up at that position by Tracy McGrady. At this point, the Rockets need complimentary players around Tracy and Yao who can hit the open shots when the stars draw the double teams. That is exactly what Shane Battier is...but last night was just not his night.