Memphis starts well by taking advantage of Houston’s few ball losses at the start of the match. But now, the Rockets will wake up through their backcourt. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr will plant 22 points between them to allow Houston to conclude the first period with a 16-6 run. Houston leads 32-26 at the end of the first quarter.
The Grizzlies are overwhelmed and cash a new wave of Rockets from the start of the second quarter (8-0). This is led by the Turk, Alperen Sengun, author of an excellent first pass (13 points, 6 rebounds in 14 minutes). The game within the game is between Jalen Green (20 points) and Ja Morant (21 points) who go blow for blow so far. Much better collectively, the Rockets return to the locker room with a logical advantage of +8 (70-62).
Back from the locker room, Memphis returns with other intentions. Houston falls back into its early game failings with many lost balls that allow Ja Morant and his gang to quickly pick up the score. The twirling leader of the Grizzlies plants 19 points in the 3rd quarter alone to bring his total to 40. Despite the XXL performance of the latter, the Rockets retain a 5-point advantage at the start of the 4th quarter (100- 95).
The last period is to the advantage of Memphis who will take advantage of the inexperience of the young rockets to place a run of 11-0. Houston will not recover, even conceding a 34-22 in this last quarter. Led by a gala Ja Morant, author of 49 points, the Grizzlies won in Texas 129-122.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The 49 points of Ja Morant. He was once again talked about last night, Ja Morant disgusted the Rockets. It is the second biggest scoring performance of his young career after the 52 points against Spurs last season.
– The collapse of the Rockets. Memphis had what is called a straggler game. Houston was ahead for three quarters but the Grizzlies were never too far behind, all it took was an 11-0 down the stretch to extinguish the Rockets.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Ja Morant. This is the first big performance of the NBA season, and it is signed by the Grizzlies point guard. An XXL performance of 49 points at 17/26 shooting and 5/6 at 3-points. We can also add as icing on the cake the 8 assists.
✅Jalen Green. It continues on its dynamic at the end of last season. He was unquestionably the Rockets’ best player: 33 points at 13/21 shooting (61.9%) and 4/5 from 3 points.
✅ Alperen Sengun. He had already shown his technical qualities and his basketball IQ during the previous season. In his usual role off the bench, he produced an excellent performance: 23 points, 12 rebounds in 27 minutes.
⛔ Desmond Bane. In the absence of Jaren Jackson Jr and Dillon Brooks, we expected him to increase his level of play. Last night, it was the breakdown of skill: 3/16 in shooting.
⛔ Jabari Smith Jr. The 3rd choice of the Draft 2022 will be particularly followed this season in the race for the Rookie of the year. His performance against the Grizzlies is to be forgotten with an ugly 3/14 shooting including a 2/8 from 3 points.
THE FOLLOWING
– Rocket: Trip to the Bucks, on the night of Saturday to Sunday (2H)
– Grizzlies: Trip to the Mavs, in the night from Saturday to Sunday (2H30)
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