Discounting their 119 points versus the Wizards, the Rockets are averaging 101 points in their last eight games. That would rank last in the league by a full three points if that is what their scoring average was for the entire season. 
Houston ranks 26th in shooting percentage and last in 3-point shooting percentage. Not only will Houston be without its leading scorer, injured Christian Wood, but its third-leading scorer, Victor Oladipo, also won't play today due to a quad injury. 
The Rockets have to rely on their defense to halt their 10-game losing streak. They are a slightly above average defensive team. 
I'm expecting defensive intensity from both teams. The Grizzlies knocked off the Clippers this past Thursday. They then proceeded to get blown out by the Clippers, 119-99, two days ago in the rematch. LA shot 55 percent from the floor. 
This is what Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins was quoted as saying about that: "Our defense was average. It wasn't at the level (it needed to be), so the learning lesson is you've got to raise your level and your defense has got to be consistent, night in and night out, especially when you beat a team like the way we did."