Amid Late-Season Surge, Rockets 'Similar' to '21 Grizzlies Says Dillon Brooks

As part of two up-and-coming teams, Dillon Brooks sees similarities between the Houston Rockets and the 2021 Memphis Grizzlies.

Mar 19, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets were in an abyss a month ago. The team was coming off one of their worst losses of the season to the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 14. And amid their return from the All-Star break, coach Ime Udoka vowed to make changes following the embarrassment inside the FedExForum.

A month later, the Rockets have established themselves as one of the most dangerous teams in the league. They have put together the fourth-best record since the All-Star break at 11-5. And with the team in the middle of an eight-game winning streak, the Rockets have register the league's best record at 10-1 in March.

The Rockets' success has the franchise on the verge of qualifying for the Play-In Tournament. Their late-season surge is comparable to what Dillon Brooks experienced as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2020-21 season.

Mar 19, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

"It's similar but a different core group," Brooks said. "I feel like we are all bought into winning games, regardless of who is scoring. We are figuring out different ways how to win games and meet our goals."

Brooks was a part of a young core trying to lay the groundwork for a successful team in Memphis. The Grizzlies spent most of the season hovering around the bottom half of the Western Conference until the final eight games.

They closed the regular season with a 6-2 record and qualified for the Play-In Tournament for the second consecutive year. But unlike the previous season, the Grizzlies reached the playoffs as a Play-In Tournament qualifier for the first time in franchise history.

They defeated the Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference. However, Memphis' season ended in the first-round of the playoffs following a 4-1 defeat to the Utah Jazz.

Brooks played a significant role in the Grizzlies' late-season success. And three years later, he has replicated his position in Houston. Amid the Rockets' winning streak, Brooks has averaged 11.3 points on 48.6 percent shooting from the field.

Entering Monday's contest against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Rockets are one game back of the Warriors for the 10th and final spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament.

"We are playing more aggressively and more together," Brooks said. "I feel like everyone has that one goal. When you have everyone on the same page, aggressive, confident and ready to play, you know you can get good results."