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 The Rockets turned to grit and guts to slug their way to a 100-92
victory over Memphis at Toyota Center, parlaying a burst of
fourth-quarter energy into a win that seemed unlikely up until the
rally commenced.
"We were having a hard time getting our energy up," Rockets coach
Kevin McHale said. "Last night's game was a big game. You could feel
it in the shoot-around (Thursday) that we were draggy. Guys put a
lot of emotional and physical effort into last night's game, and I
really extended guys. I extended them again tonight. Really got
extended."
Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin sparked the comeback with 14
fourth-quarter points after performing miserably over the opening 36
minutes. His backcourt mate, James Harden, finished with 27 points
on just two field goals, the most points in NBA history with so few
baskets.
Harden tied the franchise record my making 22 free throws on 25
attempts.
Houston (20-11) rode a makeshift lineup throughout the final period.
Harden, Lin (18 points), forwards Chandler Parsons (15 points, 11
rebounds) and Francisco Garcia and center Donatas Motiejunas played
the entire quarter and completed the rally.
Motiejunas, a little-used second-year player, followed a block of
Memphis guard Mike Conley with a transition dunk at the 6:38 mark of
the fourth, building the Rockets' lead to 83-80. That sequence was
at the heart of a 9-0 run.
Motiejunas finished with four points and three boards in a
season-high 23 minutes.
"D-Mo won us that game," Harden said of Motiejunas. "He came in with
energy, hadn't really played in a couple games, and we needed
somebody to rebound the basketball. He did a great job of battling
Z-Bo (Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph) and just competing."
Randolph dominated inside, pairing 23 points with 17 rebounds and
five assists. However, he was the lone Memphis starter to score in
double figures until Conley (11 points) scored with 22 seconds left.
In the aftermath, Randolph was incensed at the free-throw disparity.
The Rockets attempted 40 free throws, while the Grizzlies shot just
20.
"It's obvious. It was the refs tonight," Randolph said. "Eight
against five. In the second half, a man (was) shooting free throws
every time. We're out there playing hard, and (the refs are)
dictating the game."
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With center Dwight Howard saddled by foul trouble, the
Rockets proved helpless on the glass against the Grizzlies
(12-16). Randolph and Memphis center Kosta Koufos (11 boards)
were a particularly effective rebounding combo, especially
during the Grizzlies' turnaround second quarter.
Memphis managed just six second-chance points in the first
quarter despite grabbing eight offensive rebounds. The Grizzlies
did a far superior job cashing in on their additional
opportunities in the second, closing the half with 17
second-chance points off 14 offensive boards.
The Grizzlies seized control with an 19-4 run in the second
period, combining exceptional help defense — Houston mustered
just one basket during one seven-minute stretch — with a
surprising burst from NBA Development League call-up James
Johnson, who had 11 points and three steals by the break. He
added just one point after halftime.
Johnson drilled a 3-pointer with 22.9 seconds left to give
Memphis a 53-45 halftime lead, an advantage that swelled to 13
in the moments after Howard went to the bench with his fifth
foul at the 7:52 mark of the third. For Memphis, that momentum
proved unsustainable.
"It's definitely a discouraging loss," Grizzlies guard Tony
Allen said. "We had the momentum throughout the game. They
weathered the storm, got to the foul line and attacked as the
aggressors, and you have to take your hats off to them."
NOTES: Rockets GM Daryl Morey announced the re-hiring of Gersson
Rosas to co-lead the scouting and player personnel department
along with Gianluca Pascucci. Rosas returns following an aborted
three-month stint as general manager of the Dallas Mavericks. He
previously spent nine years with the Rockets. "This is home,"
Rosas said. "There is some unfinished work to do, and I'm
excited to be back to do it." ... Following his recall from the
Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League,
Grizzlies F James Johnson averaged 7.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5
assists and 2.0 blocks in two starts. "He just gives us a level
of athleticism we don't have," Memphis coach Dave Joerger said.
"He's been right on trying to learn what we try to do and what
his role might be." ... Grizzlies F Tayshaun Prince returned to
the starting lineup after missing three games due to left knee
soreness. He scored nine points.
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