Chandler Parsons scored 24 points off the bench to help guide the Memphis Grizzlies to their second win over the Houston Rockets and a 5-1 start to the season.
Parsons’ outburst, his most since joining the Grizzlies, was part of a 67-point performance from the Grizzlies’ reserves, five points shy of the single-game franchise record. Parsons, who logged 18:38 from the second unit, posted the highest score ever by a Grizzlies player who played fewer than 20 minutes in a game.
Memphis also got a season-high 15 points from Mario Chalmers and 14 points and seven rebounds from Tyreke Evans. The pair recorded plus-minus numbers of +28 and +23, respectively. Dillon Brooks also posted a +23 while helping limit James Harden to 20 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
Ryan Anderson led Houston with 22 points, while Clint Capela (12 points, 12 rebounds) double-doubled. Trevor Ariza added 10 points for the Rockets, who were without Eric Gordon, who missed the game due to illness.
The first quarter was a battle between teams, as the Grizzlies and Rockets showcased their offensive talents from the tip. The Rockets stretched their lead to 10 and led 23-13 with 4:33 remaining in the quarter when Parsons checked in and connected on his first four shot attempts, as the Grizzlies went on a 15-4 run to take a 28-27 lead with 1:09 left in the period.
The second quarter began with a three-pointer from Anderson, his fourth of an attempted six at that point, and the Rockets regained the lead by two. Later in the half, Chalmers would ignite a Grizzlies run with a three-pointer followed by back-to-back dunks from Jarell Martin and a layup by Mike Conley as the Grizzlies took an eight-point lead with time winding down in the half. The Grizzlies led six at the half, with 28 of their 54 points coming from their bench.
The Rockets once again battled back to start the second half, tying scores at 55 early after a three pointer from Ariza and put-back from Capela. But Parsons soon came off the bench and picked up right where he left off, draining a three in his first possession of the half. Parsons went 5-for-5 in the third, including 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, for 14 points in the period. The Grizzlies forced eight turnovers and outscored the Rockets 16-5 on fast break points in the frame and led nine at the start of the final quarter.
The Grizzlies polished off the win in the fourth quarter, proving bench play to be their lethal weapon yet again as Evans and Chalmers scored seven apiece. It was the first time all season none of the Grizzlies starters ended the night with double-digit scoring.
Next Home Game
The Grizzlies meet the Charlotte Hornets for the first time this season as they visit FedExForum Monday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Tune in to FOX Sports Southeast presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN for all the action.
Key Stats of the Night
- The Grizzlies scored a season-high 67 points off the bench compared to Houston’s 25. The Memphis bench is now outscoring their opponents 246-126 (41.0-21.0). The bench scoring total came just five points shy of the franchise record of 72, which has been recorded twice and most recently on Jan. 24, 2007 at Utah.
- Chandler Parsons (24 points, 9-11 FG, 6-8 3P) recorded the highest score in franchise history by any player who logged under 20 minutes of playing time.
Key Runs of the Night
- The Grizzlies trailed 23-13 when Chandler Parsons checked in with 4:33 remaining in the first quarter. Parsons would connect on his first four shot attempts as the Grizzlies went on a 15-4 run to take a 28-27 lead with 1:09 left in the period.
- With Memphis leading 83-75 with 10:27 remaining, a Tyreke Evans three-pointer sparked a 13-2 run over the next 4:17 to give the Grizzlies a 19-point lead.
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- Parsons’ 24 points are more than he scored through his first four games this season (22). He scored all 24 through the first three quarters, including 14 in the third quarter alone, the most in a single quarter by any Grizzlies player this season.
- Tonight marked Parsons’ highest scoring total since scoring 21 on March 14, 2016 at Charlotte as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
- Mario Chalmers scored a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and was a +28 in 25:14 off the bench.
- Tyreke Evans (14 points, seven rebounds, four assists) has scored in double figures off the bench in five of six games this season.
- Ivan Rabb made his NBA debut, logging one minute.
- The Grizzlies are now 9-6 against the Warriors, Rockets and Spurs since the start of last season, the best record in the NBA against those teams during that span.
- Memphis won despite not having a single starter in double digit scoring.
- The Grizzlies outscored the Rockets 18-5 in fast break points.