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Summer League Recap: Grizzlies 88, Rockets 74

Dan Savage
Director of Digital News

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By Dan SavageJuly 10, 2014

ORLANDO -- The Grizzlies have used the past two NBA Drafts to add depth to their backcourt.

In 2013, Memphis utilized a second round selection to nab Jamaal Franklin and in 2014, grabbed Jordan Adams with the No. 22 overall pick. If this year’s Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League is any indication, the duo may be ready to contribute at the league level sooner rather than later.

Adams fired off a team-high 19 points and Franklin poured in 17 as the Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets, 88-74, on Thursday night.

"It's been fun," Adams explained. "I'm just trying to come out here and experience what the NBA is like and grasp the pace of it."

With the victory Memphis (3-1) advanced to the Summer League Championship game where they’ll face the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday at noon ET.

Jack Cooley did his best to impress, notching 15 points and six rebounds, while Jarnell Stokes poured in 10 of his 12 points in the second half

Although the Rockets (0-4) are winless in summer league play, they’ll take plenty of solace in the fact that they may have found a second round gem in Nick Johnson.

The No. 42 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft continued his solid summer league play, posting a game-high 22 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds, Johnson is currently averaging 16 points per game.

"It's been up and down," Johnson explained. "It's always fun to come here and get to compete against all these guys, but obviously we haven't won a game so it's been kind of rough."

Maarty Leunen, who has spent the last six seasons overseas after being selected by the Rockets in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft, fired off 15 points.

Tarik Black (11 points) and Chris Crawford (10) rounded out four Houston players in double figures.

The Rockets will close out their summer league against the Brooklyn Nets at 4 p.m.