Brooks, Bane lead Grizzlies past Rockets 113-106
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Dillon Brooks scored 25 points, Desmond Bane added 19 points and the Memphis Grizzlies held on for a 113-106 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
Christian Wood had 22 points and nine rebounds for Houston. Armoni Brooks provided a spark off the Houston bench, scoring 18 points. Garrison Mathews added 12 points as Houston lost its second game in two nights.
Houston trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half before cutting into Memphis' advantage as the Grizzlies' first-half shooting accuracy waned in the third quarter. Memphis started the second half by missing nine of its first 10 shots. That helped the Rockets cut their deficit to single digits.
The Rockets closed within six points on a couple of occasions in the fourth, but never caught Memphis.
The game featured teams playing among the best in the league. Both entered the game 4-1 in December, the Grizzlies winning six of their last seven, and the Rockets going 6-2 over their last eight.
The night was also a celebration of former Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph, who was honored with having his number 50 retired, the first Memphis player to receive that recognition.
Eric Gordon, a key starter during the Rockets recent success, sat out the game with right groin tightness rather than playing the second game of a back-to-back. That left the Rockets without a key ballhandler.
Memphis shot better than 60% through much of the first half and connected on close to 50% of its 3-pointers. That translated to a quick double-digit lead and a 63-47 advantage at halftime.
TIP-INS
Rockets: In addition to Gordon, rookie Jalen Green missed his eighth game with a left hamstring strain. '¦ D.J. Augustin started his first game of the season. '¦ Houston is 1-12 on the road. It's other road win was Dec. 1 over Oklahoma City 114-110.
Grizzlies: F Jaren Jackson Jr. did not play due to left knee soreness. Coach Taylor Jenkins said it was simply soreness and not something that concerns the team in the long term. '¦ Kyle Anderson started in Jackson's spot and hit all five of his shots in the first half. He finished with 16 points. ... Memphis is 7-1 since Ja Morant sprained his left knee in a Nov. 26 loss to Atlanta. '¦ C Steven Adams suffered a left ankle sprain in the third quarter and did not return.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Monday.
Grizzlies: Host Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
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