Are Houston Rockets Adopting a Grit and Grind Style of Play?

The Houston Rockets have won several games relying upon their defense, and their gritty defensive play is starting to resemble the Memphis Grizzlies from the early-to-mid-2010s.

HOUSTON — Coach Ime Udoka wants the Houston Rockets to improve their production on the offensive end. Their offense ranks 22nd with an offensive rating of 111.7 and has averaged 109.4 points through the first 20 games. Houston has established itself as the third-slowest team, averaging 97.27 in pace.

However, Houston's success has depended upon its defense. The Rockets displayed their defensive mentality during Monday's 93-82 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. 

They extended their home winning streak to 10 despite scoring a season-low in points, but the defense held the Spurs to 35.6 percent shooting from the field and 12.2 percent from behind the arc. It marked the sixth time this season the Rockets held an opponent under 100 points. 

"Since day one, we have talked about forming a defensive mentality," Udoka said. "There are things we are trying to do to improve our offense, but we will ride our defense.

"Like I said [Monday night], if our offense isn't clicking, we give ourselves a chance to win by playing good defense. We will continue to work on our offense while relying upon our defense to get there." 

Following their victory over the Spurs, the Rockets have possessed the second-best defense in the league. They have recorded a defensive rating of 108.2 while holding opponents to 105.6 points — only the Minnesota Timberwolves have played better defense. 

Udoka vowed to instill a playstyle that mirrors his playing days as a journeyman. But Houston's gritty performance and defensive play is starting to resemble the Memphis Grizzlies of the 2010s, synonymous with their grit and grind play.

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. and San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) attempt to get a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Grizzlies established a defensive identity that led to the most successful era in franchise history. Memphis made six consecutive postseason appearances. Their best came during the 2014-2015 season with a trip to the Western Conference Finals with Jeff Green playing an integral role.

"The league was different then," Green said. "We had two bigs who were good at what they do in Marc [Gasol] and Zach [Randolph]. We had one of the best defensive players ever in Tony Allen. We had great point guard play in Mike Conley. We had a good group."

With 55 wins, the Grizzlies finished the season with the third-most wins in franchise history, and a large part of their success came on the defensive end. They ranked 20th in the league in scoring (98.3 PPG) while holding their opponents to an average of 95.1 points.

Green doesn't like to compare teams. He said the Rockets are establishing their own identity, similar to the Grizzlies in 2015, but the philosophy used resembles what Udoka has instilled since taking the helm in Houston.

"We had a group of guys who were going to do whatever it took to win," Green said. "That was the grind part. Whether the offense was going or not, we were going to rely on our defense. We were a team to do everything possible to win."

Rockets 'Lit' to See Improvements

Twenty games into the season, there is enough time for the Rockets to improve their offensive production. But Udoka believes the team's defensive output represents the intangibles he has emphasized since training camp.

"This is right up my alley," Jabari Smith Jr. said. "I take pride in my defense. It's something my dad has preached since I was little. It's a benefit to make it tough on great scorers and players."