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RMJH4 · 04-06-2020, 03:00 PM

Grizzlies power to win over Rockets as Magic returns to NBA.

January 8th, 1996 | by ESPN.COM

Magic Johnson is back in the NBA and he certainly has some Magic left in him too. Johnson led the struggling Grizzlies to an impressive win over the Houston Rockets in Houston. The Rockets were led by the ever impressive Hakeem, who had a 24 point, 14 rebound and 6 assist night. However, his Rockets teammates seemed to stay in the locker room, and let him do it all.

Clyde Drexler was held to 13 points by the ever impressive Rick Fox, who kept Drexler from getting easy looks at the basket. Blue Edwards was equally impressive containing Mario Elie, who didn’t even reach double digits tonight. Despite all struggles the Rockets some how managed to strangle the Grizzlies in the 1st half. They led 43 -31 and it was beginning to look like one way traffic, despite the Rockets not shooting the ball well. Johnson had only played 8 minutes and did not start at center. The second half would be a different story.

One of Magic’s six assists tonight.

Coach Rambis decided to play Magic pretty much the whole second half at center. For Hakeem to try and cover Johnson on the perimeter, driving coast to coast off his own boards, trying to defend Garnett and Johnson pick and rolls, was just too much. Having a second if not third ball handler on the floor just opened the game up for the Grizzlies. Rambis had never played Matt Maloney alongside Armstrong or Byron Scott so he could not have seen the benefit of this before. Garnett has never been entrusted with much of the ball off the dribble but tonight Magic encouraged him to push it coast to coast like him.

When you pull down 15 rebounds like Garnett did tonight, that leads to a lot of transition offense opportunities. All 12 Grizzlies that played tonight scored, it was refreshing to watch in the second half when the Grizzlies got their running game going. This was best epitomized in the fourth quarter when the Grizzlies blew the doors off and ran up a 31-16 scoreline to close out a six point victory over a very good team.

Magic has changed the dynamic of this team in one night. Maybe even one half. Garnett can also handle the ball. Really well in transition, and with Magic there he is now being encouraged to do it. Garnett is only 18 but it feels like he aged and matured before our very eyes tonight. Lets see if Vancouver can back up this impressive performance in their next game. The fourth quarter tonight really was a glimpse into the best style for this team, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s Run n’ Gun Showtime style.

Box Score

Spoiler

04-06-2020, 03:00 PM	#91
RMJH4 Retro NBA Nut OVR: 19 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,525 Blog Entries: 17	GM 37 Grizzlies @ Rockets Grizzlies power to win over Rockets as Magic returns to NBA. January 8th, 1996 \| by ESPN.COM Magic Johnson is back in the NBA and he certainly has some Magic left in him too. Johnson led the struggling Grizzlies to an impressive win over the Houston Rockets in Houston. The Rockets were led by the ever impressive Hakeem, who had a 24 point, 14 rebound and 6 assist night. However, his Rockets teammates seemed to stay in the locker room, and let him do it all. Clyde Drexler was held to 13 points by the ever impressive Rick Fox, who kept Drexler from getting easy looks at the basket. Blue Edwards was equally impressive containing Mario Elie, who didn’t even reach double digits tonight. Despite all struggles the Rockets some how managed to strangle the Grizzlies in the 1st half. They led 43 -31 and it was beginning to look like one way traffic, despite the Rockets not shooting the ball well. Johnson had only played 8 minutes and did not start at center. The second half would be a different story. One of Magic’s six assists tonight. Coach Rambis decided to play Magic pretty much the whole second half at center. For Hakeem to try and cover Johnson on the perimeter, driving coast to coast off his own boards, trying to defend Garnett and Johnson pick and rolls, was just too much. Having a second if not third ball handler on the floor just opened the game up for the Grizzlies. Rambis had never played Matt Maloney alongside Armstrong or Byron Scott so he could not have seen the benefit of this before. Garnett has never been entrusted with much of the ball off the dribble but tonight Magic encouraged him to push it coast to coast like him. When you pull down 15 rebounds like Garnett did tonight, that leads to a lot of transition offense opportunities. All 12 Grizzlies that played tonight scored, it was refreshing to watch in the second half when the Grizzlies got their running game going. This was best epitomized in the fourth quarter when the Grizzlies blew the doors off and ran up a 31-16 scoreline to close out a six point victory over a very good team. Magic has changed the dynamic of this team in one night. Maybe even one half. Garnett can also handle the ball. Really well in transition, and with Magic there he is now being encouraged to do it. Garnett is only 18 but it feels like he aged and matured before our very eyes tonight. Lets see if Vancouver can back up this impressive performance in their next game. The fourth quarter tonight really was a glimpse into the best style for this team, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s Run n’ Gun Showtime style. Box Score Spoiler __________________ Part 1 and Part 3: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story. Part 2: No Country for Old Men: A Utah Jazz Story.