PrintRockets Maul Grizzlies For Big Win
Joey Dorsey returns to old stomping grounds, sparks team to 101-83 victory
Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer
Houston - So much for slumping. The Rockets appear to be rolling once again.
Sparked by Joey Dorsey’s spectacular return to his old stomping grounds, Houston produced perhaps its best effort of 2010, absolutely eviscerating the Memphis Grizzlies 101-83.
The Rockets limited Memphis to just 39 points in the second half, showing off the sort of defensive muscle that had been lacking during Houston’s struggles throughout the month of January.
But now that the page on the calendar has turned, the Rockets - just as they’ve done repeatedly in recent years - appear to be gaining steam once again, winning for the third time in four games while upping their record within the Southwest Division to 6-4, the top mark in the league’s toughest division.
“When we play great defensively, it gets our offense going, said Trevor Ariza, who was extremely effective from start to finish, scoring 17 points to go along with his 8 rebounds and 2 steals. “We get easier points and that makes the other team work harder, and it makes them tired down on the other end.
“We knew coming into this game that it was going to be an important win for us. We had the exact same record coming in and wins like this mean a lot to us. We wanted to come out of the break with a great momentum.”
Following an even first quarter marked by both teams taking turns going on extended runs, the Rockets began to wrest control of the game in the second period. And they did so, somewhat surprisingly, by seizing a sizeable advantage on the glass.
Despite the Grizzlies’ standing as one of the top rebounding teams in the NBA, Houston owned the boards in the first half to the tune of 27-17, while holding an 11-5 edge on the offensive end. That disparity played a large role in allowing Houston to take a 50-44 lead into halftime despite shooting just 41.3 percent from the field.
Perhaps more impressive than the Rockets’ rebounding edge, however, was the inspired play of hometown hero Joey Dorsey. The Memphis University product entered the game at the 6:10 mark of the second quarter with Houston trailing 35-34 and immediately injected his club with a strong dose of energy, toughness and rock-solid interior defense against the likes of All-Star selection Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
By halftime, Dorsey had already scored 5 points and collected 4 rebounds, numbers which easily surpassed his previous career highs. And he only proceeded to add to those totals in the second half, finishing with 7 points, 12 boards (6 offensive), a steal and a block – all in just 19 minutes of play.
“We talked going into the game about (how to deal) with Randolph and Gasol,” explained Rockets Head Coach Rick Adelman. “Joey is our best rebounder and he’s physical and I planned on going with the regular rotation and giving him a shot in the second quarter. He did a nice job and I just decided to keep it going. He’s a very good rebounder and takes up a lot of space in there. If he just plays smart, he’s going to be a big help to us.”
Dorsey’s efforts on defense and the boards were exactly what the Rockets had in mind when selecting him in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft. A painful bout with plantar fasciitis effectively robbed him of his rookie year and, since then, there have been times when his confidence has clearly been shaken.
But in a testament to the healing powers and developmental potential of the D-League, Dorsey began to find his feet during a stint with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season and after the game the second-year forward was quick to recognize his time in the Valley as a key to his newfound success.
“I’ve just been practicing really hard with the team ever since I came up from the D-League,” said Dorsey. “It helped me prepare myself better. I went down there and started scoring better and playing defense. They wanted me to go down there and lead the league in rebounding and I went down and averaged 14 rebounds and scored 16 points a game, so it brought my confidence up really high. I came back, started practicing really well and am just happy I’m out here playing.”
And he played, without question, a significant role in one of the Rockets' finer defensive performances of the season. Not only did Houston annihilate Memphis on the boards 50-35 but the Rockets also held the Grizzlies to an anemic 40.5 percent shooting from the field. What's more, Houston's suffocating 'D' limited Memphis to a paltry 85.6 points per 100 possessions - more than 20 points shy of their season average - providing a blueprint for the sort of effort the Rockets hope to duplicate from here on out.
“We played 48 minutes all the way through on the road against a team that has been playing very well at home," said Adelman. "We were tough inside with the best offensive rebounding team in the league. We really dominated the boards and that was huge.”
Added Battier: “When we play defense like that, we feel like we can hang with anybody. They had a couple of spurts in the first quarter, but aside from that, we did a great job of protecting the paint and getting back in transition. That has to be an every night thing for us.”
QUOTES
RICK ADELMAN
On team performance: “We played 48 minutes all the way through on the road against a team that has been playing very well at home. Our guys came out and turned it over in the first quarter and gave a lot of transition baskets to them (Grizzlies), but after that quarter, we were pretty solid all the way through. We were tough inside with the best offensive rebounding team in the league. We really dominated the boards and that was huge.”
On early fastbreaks: “I thought it went very well. We intended on trying to make sure (Zach) Randolph didn’t go one-on-one on people and we had to keep him off and rebound the ball. I think the biggest thing that correlated with the other end is that if we moved the ball and we were active then we were going to be quicker and could get to the offensive boards on them. That’s what happened.”
On Joey Dorsey’s performance: “We talked about going into the game with (Zach) Randolph and (Marc) Gasol, and Joey (Dorsey) is our best rebounder. He is physical and I planned on going with the regular rotation and giving him a shot in the second quarter. He did a nice job and just decided to keep going. He’s a very good rebounder and takes up a lot of space in there. If he just plays smart, he’s going to be a big help to us.”
TREVOR ARIZA
On tonight’s win: “We knew coming into this game that this game was going to be an important win for us. We had the exact same record coming in and wins like this mean a lot to us. We wanted to come out of the break with a great momentum.”
On team defense: “I think that when we play great defensively, it gets our offense going. We get easier points and that makes the other team work harder, and it makes them tired down on the other end. When we play like that, I think it’s better.”
On team rebounding: “I was surprised because they had two really good rebounders. Zach (Randolph) is the leading offensive rebounder right now, so we did a good job on him said a lot about our players and how we played as a team today.”
CARL LANDRY
On tonight’s win: “We just want to finish strong before the All-Star break. (Two years ago) in February we started with a 22-game winning streak. We just to continue that and to play, especially in February.”
On team performance: “We got a good spark from Joey Dorsey back at home in Memphis. He came in, altered some shots, grabbed 12 rebounds for the night. That was something we needed, especially playing against Memphis.”
SHANE BATTIER
On tonight’s win: “We knew we had to play hard to beat these guys here. They have played fantastic at home with ten in a row at one point. They had a lot of confidence and we are fighting with them to get to the playoffs. So we knew needed a great effort, and that was as solid as we played in a long time, so it was a nice win for us.”
On facing Memphis for the second time: “The first time we played them, they were a different team. They are much better now and playing with more confidence.”
On the team’s overall defense: “When we play defense like that, we feel like we can hang with anybody. They had a couple of spurts in the first quarter, but aside from that, we did a great job of protecting the paint and getting back in transition. That has to be an every night thing for us.”
(on Joey Dorsey): Joey is still learning the game. His physical tools are obvious very good – they’re elite. For him, it’s just understanding the mental side of the game: understanding coverages and what his role is. As he gets more comfortable in the mental game, he’ll earn more playing time.
Everyone needs that. You throw Joey in there and you know you’re getting toughness and rebounding and (blocked shots). The key for him is just bringing his athleticism with the mental side of the game. Because against the really good teams in the playoffs, you can’t just be athletic – you have to use your brain, too. But Joey’s improved in that aspect a lot since day one.
JOEY DORSEY
I thought I was going to play tonight because I played in practice with the starters. I’ve just been practicing really hard with the team ever since I came up from the D-League. Coach gave me a chance tonight.
It helped me prepare myself better. I went down there and started to scoring better and playing defense. They wanted me to go down there and lead the league in rebounding and I went down and averaged 14 rebounds and scored 16 points a game, so it brought my confidence up really high. I came back, started practicing really well and am just happy I’m out here playing.
LIONEL HOLLINS
On the loss: “We got beat in every area, rebounding and hustling. They out-shot us in every area. We got beat. We were in the game, and we battling, but they just beat us. That’s what happens in physical, tough competition. Some nights, it happens this way. They thoroughly beat us, and they beat us twice. It wasn’t excusable to get beat this bad. This is the NBA. It’s tough. As we go forward, it’s going to get tougher. We got the ball inside, and they were jumping all over the ball in the basket. We were missing easy shots. They got their hands on the ball, poke-checked the ball, doubled really hard, and recovered to our shooters. It was just a good defensive plan and a good game by a team that seemed to have a lot more energy than we did.”
On the Rockets: “They took us out of everything we wanted to do with their quickness and their athleticism. They’re a good team. This team has been playing this well year long. They’re very quick, tough, physical and just scrap. They know how to play and know how to win.
On preparing for the next game: “Let’s get on a plane and get up to Minnesota. We need to win. This game is over. They out rebounded us 15-to-35. We had 18 turnovers. They out-scored us on second chance points. They had 19 offensive rebounds. They destroyed us on every area. It happens. We just got to move forward and on to the next game. It doesn’t matter where you play, home or away. It doesn’t matter how many days you have off. You just have to move forward.”
On changing lineups: “I was reaching for other players. We weren’t able to stop [Aaron] Brooks. They were just driving to the basket, and we were struggling. I was looking for someone to go in turn the game around and make a couple of plays; something that would have turned the time. We were right there. It was 61, and we turned the ball over, and they got fouled. They just took us apart.”
On shooting: “They’re just not shooting well. It happens. They’re just not making good shots. We’re in a funk. We’re struggling a little bit. When you play a team that is quicker than you in just about every position, you’re going to have some moments. I was worried about this game when I saw it on the schedule.”
MARC GASOL (17 points, 8 rebounds)
On the loss: “The Rockets outplayed us in every aspect of the team. That was the first thing [Coach Lionel Hollins] talked about. They played stronger than us and smarter than us. They deserved it.”
On the Rockets’ defense: “They just played hard. They played harder than us. They went after every rebound. They helped each other. They talked. They communicated, and we didn’t.”
On the Grizzlies’ confidence: “The way we played tonight, we can’t play like that if we want to be where we want to be. We’ve had some tough times. We have to get together and look each other in the face and be able to help each other. These are those times. We have to be there for each other.”
On tomorrow’s game at Minnesota: “It is very important. We absolutely have to win it. Tomorrow is huge.”
GRIZZLIES FORWARD RUDY GAY (11 points, 4 assists)
On the loss: “We just didn’t play hard enough. They out-oughed us and it showed. We didn’t score. In every statistical category, they beat us. You’re not going to win like that. They moved the ball well. They got the ball in the paint and were able to finish.”
On tomorrow’s game at Minnesota: “It is even more important [after tonight’s loss]. We’ve got to get back on a winning streak before All-Star Break. We’re going to come home and play a tough Atlanta team and we need to get on a winning streak before playing them.”
On the Grizzlies: “We just have to dig deep. Around this time, guys get tired. We’ve got to dig deep and play hard.”
GRIZZLIES GUARD MIKE CONLEY (4 points, 5 assists)
On the loss: “I think the physicalness of the whole game [was our downfall.] They were outworking us and it was evident. They were getting offensive rebounds. They just played harder than us and a lot tougher than us. They outworked us tonight and they deserved that win.”
On Grizzlies’ shooting: “We’re not shooting with an aggressive mentality. We need to get our legs under us and concentrate more. We’re getting good looks, but we’re just not knocking them down. We’ve got to execute better offensively. We’ve got to get that one-on-one going a little bit. We have to get back to moving the ball a little more.”
On Coach Lionel Hollins’ comments after the game: “He told us they deserved this win. They outworked us in every aspect of the game. It’s one of those games you have to learn from it. We’ve got another one tomorrow and have to be ready to go and try to take this one and flush it down the toilet. We have to try to learn from it and go back to Minnesota and get a win.”
On tomorrow’s game at Minnesota and the playoffs: “We understandthe fact that we are in playoff race and have an opportunity to compete for that spot in the playoffs is something that we all have been working hard for. We had an emphasis on tonight’s and tomorrow’s games. Every game from here on out is a big game for us.”
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