The Houston Rockets bounced back from a 12-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-108, at Toyota Center on Friday night. After trailing in the first half, the Rockets rallied in the second, sparked by a decisive 17-0 run midway through the third quarter. The surge propelled them to a dominating 39-18 third-quarter performance, turning the game around.
The Rockets outscored the Grizzlies 69-43 in the second half, capitalizing on significant rebounding and defensive advantages. Houston outrebounded Memphis 64-43, including 23-14 on the offensive glass. The Rockets also converted turnovers into points more effectively, scoring 29-13 in points off turnovers and 27-17 in second-chance points.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins pinpointed defense and rebounding as key areas of struggle for his team. “We couldn’t get a stop… they were shooting under 40% and we still couldn’t grab a rebound,” Jenkins said. The team’s inability to defend and rebound allowed Houston to apply relentless pressure, disrupting the Grizzlies’ offense.
Despite generating decent shot opportunities, Jenkins noted that his team relied too heavily on floaters and committed too many turnovers. He also credited the Rockets’ physicality, which exposed the Grizzlies’ rebounding vulnerability and prevented them from sustaining their strong first-half performance.
Ja Morant continues to do Ja Morant things this season, leading Memphis with 24 points, shooting 8-for-17 from the field. Desmond Bane added 17 points, while rookie Zach Edey and new signee Scotty Pippen Jr. each chipped in 13 points.
It’s worth noting that Edey had a bit of a rough start to his NBA career, fouling out in just 15 minutes in the season opener against the Utah Jazz, but still managed to snag five points and five rebounds.
After the game, Morant highlighted the importance of setting the tone early in games and at the start of the second half as the point guard. He acknowledged that his team’s offense became stagnant after he coasted up the court, leading to ineffective ball movement and allowing the defense to settle into position. Specifically, the two-time All-Star pointed out that relying on ball screens, although effective, wasn’t enough when the ball wasn’t moving and teammates were stationary.
To improve, Morant emphasized his need to dictate the pace and style of play from the outset, recognizing that his role as point guard allows him to control the tempo. By doing so, he aims to create a more fluid and dynamic offense that challenges defenses and leads to better scoring opportunities.
Simply put, Morant appears to be taking ownership of his team’s performance, acknowledging areas for personal growth and striving to elevate his game to drive success.
The Grizzlies’ next game is Saturday night against the Orlando Magic at 7:00 p.m. at FedExForum for the home opener. Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to make his season debut, after being sidelined with a hamstring strain.
