Although Houston's Rockets have not been rebuilding for too long, the competitiveness they have shown this season has clearly shown a tendency to get back on track. So far this season, they have also finished 12-9 and are in eighth place in the West, better than the likes of the Warriors and Suns. During this period, the role played by their starting center Shen Jing is definitely not to be ignored. According to statistics, his average points per game and rebounds are ranked first in the team.
And this time, they came to Memphis again, away to take on the Grizzlies who were located there. At present, Morant, the star of the Grizzlies, has not been released from the ban, and the team's overall performance is very unsatisfactory, and it is no longer as competitive as the dark horse in the West. So far, they have only won six games and are third from bottom in the West. It is no exaggeration to say that according to this trend, even if the Grizzlies usher in the return of Morant in the future, it will be difficult to get back on track. And this time accepting the challenge of the Rockets, the Grizzlies were once again deflated, allowing the Rockets to win a wave of 5 consecutive victories.
At the beginning of the game, the Rockets not only failed to get into the groove quickly, but also fell into a scoring drought, allowing the Grizzlies to seize the lead in the score. In the first quarter of the game, the Rockets only scored 14 points, and the players on the Grizzlies' side naturally relied on the players in the team to blossom and play a 29-14 score and get a 15-point lead. And entering the second quarter of the matchup, Rose had a sore left hamstring and had to withdraw from the game early. The Rockets, who were behind in the score, launched a strong counterattack. Shen Jing shot 2-of-2 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line in the single quarter to score 6 points, Green also scored 8 points, and Tari Eason, who handed over 7 points and 4 rebounds, successfully scored 31-26.
Entering the second half of the competition, the Rockets can still launch a strong counterattack. In the third quarter of the game, Dillon Brooklyn stepped up, shooting 4 of 6 in a single quarter, 2 of 2 free throws, and delivered 12 points and 3 rebounds, and VanVleet also handed over 7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal, and played a 30-19 score, thus achieving a score of overtake. In the final quarter of the decisive victory, the Rockets were able to continue their power, continuing their hot state, playing a 28-22 score in one go, and winning the game with a total score of 103-96.
As a result, the 15 points behind in the first quarter and the 22 points in the next three quarters, the resilience shown by the Rockets in this game is really worthy of praise. All six of their players scored in double figures, which is still a big advantage compared to the Grizzlies, who are not in good shape. Among them, Shen Jing delivered 15 points and 7 rebounds, Green also had 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and VanVleet also handed over 16 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. And Dillon was not merciful in the face of his former club, sending a team-high 26 points and 7 rebounds.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies, who lost at home, and Rose, who started the game, retired early in the first half, which still had a certain impact on their overall morale. Of course, Bane also delivered a luxury double-double of 28 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists, Jackson also had comprehensive statistics of 22 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, as well as Biyombo who handed over 10 points and 9 rebounds, and Williams who delivered 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Aldama, who came off the bench, also delivered 11 points and 4 rebounds.