Snapping Houston’s five-game road winning streak and shooting 52 percent from three-point range, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets 115-109 at FedExForum on Friday night.
Scoring a season high 115 points, the Grizzlies posted 18.2 points more than their season average of 96.8. Although the game stayed within single digits for most of the night, the Grizzlies went on a 21-5 run in the beginning of the fourth quarter to bring the score to 98-83, taking the largest lead of the night and holding on the rest of the way.
The Grizzlies outscored the Rockets in points off the bench (55-27) with Zach Randolph (16 points, five rebounds), James Ennis (13 points) and Vince Carter (14 points, four rebounds) all scoring in double figures. Mike Conley led the team, posting 17 of his 24 points in the first half and shooting 50 percent from three-point range in just 29 minutes of play. Marc Gasol also scored in double figures contributing 16 points and five rebounds.
The Rockets entered tonight’s game with league-leading marks from beyond the arc, setting NBA single-season records for three-point field goals made (14.7) and three-point field goals attempted (38.9). The Grizzlies answered with their own hot hand, knocking down 13-of-25 (.520) from deep, while the Rockets made only seven more shots off more than twice the number of three-point attempts (20-of-52).
Shooting 8-of-14 (.571) from three-point range, Ryan Anderson led the Rockets with a season-high 31 points and seven rebounds. Although the Grizzlies forced James Harden to nine turnovers, Harden recorded a double-double with 16 points and 17 assists in 36 minutes. Eric Gordon posted 17 points off the bench while Patrick Beverley (13 points, six rebounds) and Montrezl Harrell (16 points, eight rebounds) also scored in double figures.
Next Game
The Grizzlies will face the Magic at 6:00 p.m. CT at the Amway Center in Orlando. Tune into FOX Sports Southeast, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, or listen along at 92.9 FM ESPN. And catch the Grizzlies Live! Pregame Show at 5:30pm.
Key Stat of the Night
- Houston set Grizzlies’ opponent season highs for three-pointers (20) and three-point attempts (52), shooting 38.5 percent from long range, but the Grizzlies shot 52.0 percent from beyond the arc, knocking down 13 of their 25 attempts from beyond the arc.
- The Grizzlies are now 13-2 in “super clutch” situations (margin +/- 3 in the final minute of regulation or overtime).
Key Run of the Night
- Houston hit a three-pointer to take a 78-77 lead early in the fourth quarter (11:38), but Memphis responded with a 21-5 run over the next 4:47 to take its largest lead (15) of the game.
More Game Shots
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- Mike Conley scored 17 of his 24 points in the first half and shot 7-of-10 from the field before intermission. It marks his ninth game with 20-or-more points.
- Zach Randolph (16 points) has scored 15-or-more on nine occasions this season. Tonight, Randolph shot 8-of-11 from the field.
- JaMychal Green (five rebounds) has either led or tied a team-high in rebounds in the last four games.
- Vince Carter (4-6 3P) had his third game with four-or-more three-pointers this season.
- James Harden (16 points, 17 assists) recorded his 23rd point-assist double-double of the season and tied a season-high for assists. He also set a season-high for a Grizzlies opponent for assists. He has led the Rockets in assists in every game but one this season.
- Harden’s four-point play in the first quarter is the first against the Grizzlies since Justin Holiday did it for Chicago on April 5, 2016.
- Ryan Anderson scored a season-high 31 points while knocking down eight of his 14 three-point attempts, including five of his first six.
- Montrezl Harrell (16 points, eight rebounds) made his third career start and second of the season. Over the last two games (both starts), Harrell is averaging 16.5 points on 15-of-22 shooting from the field.