At 16-12, the Houston Rockets are only three games behind the second place San Antonio Spurs in the West.
However, they're also only two games ahead of the tenth place Memphis Grizzlies, as they are in the middle of a huge pack of Western teams battling for playoff positioning behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That's why their road game at Memphis Tuesday night is so important, as the Rockets could put some distance between them and one of the teams they'll be battling with for a playoff spot the rest of the season.
The Grizzlies, who have been without star PF Zach Randolph for the last month, have stayed afloat thanks to the strong play of first-time All-Star C Marc Gasol as well as SF Rudy Gay, the team's top two scorers in Randolph's absence.
Houston will need a strong game defensively from C Sam Dalembert while figuring out a way to match up with the 6'8 Gay, who is bigger and more athletic than the Rockets wing players.
Offensively, Kevin Martin will have his hands full with Tony Allen, an All-Defensive Team SG widely considered the NBA's best perimeter stopper, which means they'll be counting on Kyle Lowry, who should be motivated coming off his snub from the All-Star Game this season, to not only score but create shots for his teammates.
The 7:00 PM game will be broadcast regionally on Fox Sports Net Houston.
For more on the Rockets, head over to The Dream Shake while Straight Outta Vancouver has you covered for everything you need to know about the Grizzlies.