Postgame Report: Grizzlies fall to the Rockets 115-103 inside FedExForum

On the Rockets’ shooting:

I thought the Rockets played great tonight. I thought it was a combination of a couple things. I thought they took a lot of one-on-one dribble threes and some threes that you want to live with. They hit some tough shots and (scored) some second chance points off offensive rebounds. Then our inability to keep them in front created a lot of rotations. So give them a lot of credit. They moved the ball around. They played really well tonight.

Taylor Jenkins

On the fans (1,762 announced attendance):

It was definitely a different energy. It was a positive energy; it was great. What a warm welcome during introductions. Over the course of the game, you could just feel the energy in the gym. We made our run in the second half, they were kind of picking up our spirits. So they were awesome. We are very excited to have our fans back in the building in this safe environment that we have created here for them. Hopefully they enjoyed it and we definitely missed them.

Taylor Jenkins

On shot selection:

Nothing demands major adjustments. I thought they (Rockets) did a good job defensively. We still racked up 28 assists. I thought we missed a lot of great looks, a lot of kick-out threes, a lot of floaters that we normally make, finishes at the rim. They played a physical style. They kind of put us in some tough spots at some times. But I thought for the most part, we kept battling. They switch a lot. We got great looks that we missed and I definitely think we can improve our offense when teams switch and play with more force and get the ball moving a bit more. But overall

Taylor Jenkins

On playing in front of fans:

It was great. The starting lineups, everyone got their names called out and I looked over to [Head Coach Taylor Jenkins] and said, ‘This is new.’ We both kind of chuckled. It’s my first time playing in these kinds of fans at home and it was good.

Desmond Bane

On improvements in his game thus far:

Just learning the nuances of the game. The defensive principles and things like that. I still want to continue to improve in that area. I feel like I can bring more on that end of the floor. Just getting comfortable in our offense and what coach wants from us.

Desmond Bane

On improvements for the next game:

We just have to be better defensively. Guarding your yard and keeping your man in front of you, mano y mano. Regardless of how we are shooting the ball, we have to be able to defend. That has to be our consistent thing we can hang our hat on and tonight we weren’t good enough.

Desmond Bane

On being back home in Indiana on Feb. 2:

It was great being able to be home. A lot of people from my hometown and across Indiana were able to watch me play. I was able to see them from a distance afterward. It’s always great to be able to be home. I wish we could have got a win. That would have been the icing on the cake, but it’s ok. We will continue to battle and continue to get better. It’s two games. It’s a long season. Flush it out. We are going to be on our way to New Orleans tomorrow. Looking forward to another opportunity.

Desmond Bane

On the Rockets’ defense:

They were switching screens and doing things a little differently than other teams we have seen. We have seen switches in stretches, but Houston likes to do that through the entirety of the game. I think it kind of just through our rhythm off and we never really just got in rhythm.

Desmond Bane

On playing in front of fans:

You could definitely feel a different atmosphere, different environment, just more energy, something we’re more used to. It was nice to see fans in the stands and have that energy to play off of.

Tyus Jones

On being longtime teammates with Gorgui Dieng (in Minnesota and now Memphis):

We have a good chemistry. We have a good bond, played lots of minutes together, had lots of game reps, so that always comes in handy. We try to use it to the best of our advantage. A lot of stuff comes easy. I know his game; he knows my game. We just try to make it work, try to use it to the best of our advantage.

Tyus Jones

On the Grizzlies’ defensive struggles:

I’m not sure what it was the last couple games. We’ll have to take a look at the film and figure it out. Offensively, we know we can score points, we know we can put the ball in the basket. Winning games comes on the defensive end for us and we see what happens when we’re not locked in on that side of the ball. We have to figure it out. We have to be a little more locked in, contain a little bit better, just stay sharp on the little things and kind of get back to letting our defense carry us.

Tyus Jones

On his recent offensive success:

Shots starting to fall. I’m trying to take my shots with confidence and not think about it. I was pressing a little bit early in the year trying to make shots. Just shots starting to fall. Teammates are trusting me, and continue to help me get open looks. I have to do my part and knock them down and shoot them with confidence.

Tyus Jones