The Rockets closed down the Grizzlies, 107-91

The Grizzlies couldn’t defend the hot three point shooting from the Rockets. Rockets went 51.5 percent from the three point line and converting 18-of-35. Turnovers (6) killed the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter.

Both Mike Conley (Achilles) and Matt Barnes (Right thumb contusion) were out due to injury.

 

First Half

Grizzlies ended the first quarter shooting 55.6 percent from the field and held the Rockets to 43.8 percent. Leading Grizz scorers Marc Gasol with 10 (5-of-6 FG) and Tony Allen added seven points (3-of-4 FG).

At the half, the Rockets lead 51-44. The Grizzlies shooting percentage went down to 43.2 percent while the Rockets shot 41 percent. Rockets had three players in double figures led by Marcus Thorton (11), Trevor Ariza (10) and James Harden (10). The Grizzlies only had two in double figures lead by Courtney Lee (10) and Marc Gasol (10).

 

Second Half

Zach Randolph was in the starting line-up at the beginning of the third quarter. Grizzlies came out on a 13-2 run to take the lead. The Rockets pushed back to take the lead. Zach Randolph was announced as 50th in the NBA all-time in rebounds. Randolph is two rebounds away from passing the 76ers Elton Brand for the 49th spot.

The Rockets took a 72-69 lead going into the final period. The Grizzlies never recovered after the Rockets went on an 16-2 run in the waning moments in the fourth quarter.

 

Game Stats

Field Goal Percentage: Grizzlies 45.8 percent (33/72), Rockets 42.9 percent (33/72)

Rebounds: Grizzlies 31 (13 OREB), Rockets 42 (18 OREB)

Points in the Paint: Grizzlies 36 (18/31), Rockets 26 (13/34)

Fast Break Points: Grizzlies 9, Rockets 12

Second chance points: Grizzlies 12 (5/10), Rockets 28 (8/17)

Bench Points: Grizzlies 25, Rockets 45

 

Player Notes

Grizzlies

Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and 3 blocks. Gasol shot 53.3 percent from the field going 8-of-15.

Tony Allen chipped in 17 points (season high), seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Allen was 6-of-15 from the field while shooting 50 percent.

Courtney Lee added 16 points and three rebounds. Lee shot 60 percent (3-of-5) from beyond the arc and 50 percent (6-of-12) from the field.

Zach Randolph shot 50 percent while going 5-of-10. He was one rebound shy (9) for his 11th double-double of the season.

 

Rockets

James Harden led all scorers with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Terrence Jones added 20 points off the bench, along with four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Marcus Thornton ended with 16 points off the bench.

Dwight Howard chipped in 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. Howard was 6-of-10 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw. Howard recorded his 17th double-double of the season.

 

Highlights

 

Thoughts

This is a game the Grizzlies very well could have won, but they didn’t. I really didn’t expect them to sweep the Rockets in their season series anyway. The Rockets just had more fight in them down the stretch. The Grizzlies now have a 2-1 lead with one more game remaining against their division rivals.

The Grizzlies do have issues and have some very bad losses. They need to be more consistent on the offense as well as the defensive end. They are a defensive minded team and it has to resonate with them.

Tony Allen and Zach Randolph have been playing some great basketball as of late. Every other player on the roster should feed off of their energy and their will to win. Tony Allen always say, “One team, one goal.” They win as team and they lose as a team.

Losses are not at the hand on one player. Other things are contributing factors in losses. Play calling and lackluster play from the unit can contribute to a team’s demise.

Even though the Grizzlies seem mediocre and have lost bad to the elite teams, I still BELIEVE!! There’s still a glimmer of hope.

This team play well when they’re deemed the underdogs. As I discussed previously, they do better as a team when folks want to count them out. From my op-ed article last season:

It’s my honest opinion that the Grizzlies play their best basketball when their backs are up against the wall. Maybe they can’t handle the pressure of being considered contenders. When they are deemed underdogs, it seems they work even harder to prove that they belong. That’s when they go to war. That’s when we see that grit.

 

 

A famous quote by Mark Twain: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog” describes this Grizzlies team perfectly. You can’t keep a good team down when their backs are up against the wall.

The fight is there and they have to do it more consistently. I won’t give up on them. Grit and Grind is far from over and we need to put the dirt back into it’s grave.

Up Next

The Grizzlies will host the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night at the FedEx Forum at 7pm CST.

*****Stats via NBA.com and ESPN.com*****