We don't know the Rockets and the Grizzlies, currently second and third in the Western Conference, will meet again in the playoffs, but their remote duel resulted in a new suspenseful and enjoyable match. And like last Thursday, the last word went to Houston, winner in their home arena thanks to a big finish.
The start of the match was in favor of the visitors, carried by a hyper aggressive Ja Morant with ten points in the first five minutes. Houston responds with its outside skill and its defensive quality, with Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson on the counter. Like Morant, Jalen Green is hot from the start, and the Rockets go 10-0… immediately responded by a 12-2 from the Grizzlies.
Memphis had control of the match…
Taylor Jenkins' rotations hit the mark with occasional contributions from Santi Aldama, Jake LaRavia, or Scottie Pippen Jr. The gap climbed to nine points in favor of Memphis, then 10 on a somewhat lucky shot from Aldama (34-44, 18′). But the playoff game continues. The Rockets showcase their athleticism on both ends of the floor. In this register, Cam Whitmore takes the opportunity to show off, and delights the audience at the Toyota Center with his sidekick Jalen Green, 21 points between them in the second quarter, to keep Houston level at rest (57-60).
The Texans are hanging on. But one action pretty much sums up their mix of effort and imprecision: Thompson takes off into the sky to block a lay-up from Morant before rushing on the counterattack… and getting his brushes tangled in his dribble. The lost balls accumulate, but the Grizzlies manage to maintain their momentum despite everything. Desmond Bane, transparent until then, is the instigator of a new run, a 15-2 including ten points for the rear. Then five more in a snap two minutes later to give his team a 13-point lead (78-91, 34′).
…before a fiery finish from the Rockets
Houston seems more in the tough this time, with lost balls by the bucketful. The close possessions ended up in the hands of the Grizzlies, and Ja Morant sent a bomb from midfield late in the possession to maintain a 12-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining. The kind of nudges of fate that would have hurt more than one team, but not these Rockets on Monday. Still reacting, Houston comes back to life at the right time. Thompson is everywhere and Green continues his offensive festival: the locals pass a 16-2 to take control at the dawn of “money time”.
This one is stifling. Thompson on an alley-oop gives Ime Udoka's men a two possession lead with 1'35″ remaining, but Jaylen Wells and Brandon Clarke turn into unlikely heroes to give the Grizzlies a point lead (114- 115, 51″1 to play). Green responds with a huge lay-up, and Morant misses with a loose ball then two missed free throws, folding the match in favor of the Rockets.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Jalen Green boss size. While the Grizzlies were able to prevent Alperen Sengun from being the hub of the Rockets' game (22 lost balls, including 6 for the only Turk), Green took care of everything. The guard equals his career best with 42 points of impeccable cleanliness (13/18), rivaling Ja Morant in speed.
– The Grizzlies may have regrets. Memphis led nearly 90% of the game, instigating the majority of the game's highlights. But we still had to hold on defensively, not let Houston collect offensive rebounds and have open shots (16/31 at 3-points). This defeat must serve as a lesson to these young Grizzlies for their future shocks against other big names in the West.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
