The rising stars are coming to play.

In a conflict of Western Convention powerhouses, the Memphis Grizzlies will face the red-hot Houston Rockets tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET.

The Rockets lead the season sequence 3-0, however the video games have been a battle all through. Houston is using a four-game win streak that noticed them take down the highest two groups within the Japanese Convention and a signature second for Amen Thompson.

Memphis enters this recreation with its six-game win streak snapped in a blowout loss on the Backyard to the Knicks.

For followers tuning in, one factor to search for in each groups is their elite protection and depth throughout the board.

Within the victory in opposition to Atlanta on Jan. 28, the Rockets scored 30 factors off the bench, headlined by a 16-point evening by Jae’Sean Tate.

“(Tate) was large—and our bench on the whole,” head coach Ime Udoka stated after the win. “We discuss our depth with Steven (Adams) being out, Tari (Eason) being out, some others being banged up somewhat bit, it’s good to have these guys are available in and provides us a lift.”

Houston’s depth might want to step up once more in opposition to a deep, bodily Grizzlies staff sturdy on each side of the ball. With former DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. and enforcer Zach Edey guarding the paint, there are not any simple buckets. Mix elite scorers Ja Morant and Desmond Bane with a bench full of shooters Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard, and also you’ve bought a recipe for the top-scoring offense within the league.

As for Houston, their protection has been locking groups up. Houston leads the League in rebounds per recreation and is permitting the fifth-fewest factors per recreation. Led by two-way wings Thompson and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets’ frontcourt has put the clamps on opposing threats, whereas middle Alperen Sengun has dealt with scoring and grabbing boards within the paint. Houston’s backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Inexperienced have produced on the offensive finish, with Inexperienced averaging 21.3 factors per recreation.

It’s going to be a battle. Regardless of each groups’ excessive defensive rankings, count on an explosive, bodily recreation between two groups contending within the Western Convention.