Rockets grind out win over Grizzlies, 100-92

Posted: December 26, 2013 -- 11:08 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets overcame Dwight Howard's foul trouble and James Harden's 2 for 9 field goal shooting to earn a very hard fought 100-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday night.

"All things said, that was a helluva win. It really was. It was a grind; but, we found a way to grind it out," said Kevin McHale after the game.

Tonight's game was definitely a grind. The Rockets led 23-15 in the first quarter; but, their offense bogged down which allowed the Grizzlies to methodically walk back into the ball game.

The Rockets (20-11) led the Grizzlies 26-23 after the first quarter; but, the Grizzlies used a 14-2 second quarter to lead 37-33 with 7:25 remaining in the second quarter. The Grizzlies had his personal slam dunk contest in the second quarter as the Rockets' team defense was stuck in the mud.

After Chandler Parsons tied the game at 37 with two free throws, the Grizzlies scored eight straight points. During the run, Dwight Howard picked up his third foul. Howard sat on the bench the final 4 minutes and 30 seconds of the quarter; and the Rockets trailed 53-45 at halftime.

James Harden's first half stat line: 1 for 6 field goals; 9 for 10 free throws for 12 points.

Terrence Jones scored 14 first half points on perfect 7 for 7 field goal shooting. The rest of the Rockets combined to make just nine 9 of 29 field goals.

The Grizzlies (12-16) increased their lead to 13 points (63-50) after Dwight Howard picked up his fourth and fifth foul in 18 seconds. The Rockets switched to zone defense and Donatas Motiejunas subbed into the game for Howard.

The zone defense and Motiejunas' energy helped contain Zach Randolph; and, with the Grizzlies failure to make shots, the Rockets returned the favor and slowly crept into the game.

"D-Mo (Motiejunas) played with energy," McHale said.

Motiejunas ended the third quarter scoring with a put back layup; and, despite the Howard's foul trouble and Harden's poor field goal shooting, the Rockets trailed the Grizzlies by just six points (72-66) heading to the fourth quarter.

"Zack is a big dude," D-Mo said. "I had a big task; and, I tried to help our team win. That was my goal."

James Harden's stats through three quarters: 1 for 8 field goals; 13 for 14 free throws for 16 points.

The Grizzlies scored the first four points of the fourth quarter; but, Harden scored straight free throws to cut the deficit to six. After Jon Leuer sank a short jump short, Jeremy Lin nailed the Rockets' first three point shot since 43 seconds into the second quarter to trim the Grizzlies' lead to 78-73.

Chandler Parsons followed with a bucket off the glass and the free throw for a 78-76 deficit.

Jerryd Bayless scored a driving layup; but, Lin splashed another 3 point bucket. Then, Lin put the Rockets ahead with 2 made free throws.

Motiejunas blocked a shot by Mike Conley; and, Harden dove on the floor for the loose ball; dished to Lin and Lin dished to Motiejunas who finished with a left-handed slam dunk for am 83-80 Rockets' lead with 6:38 left in the game.

Lin scored a driving reverse layup to boost the lead to 85-80. The Grizzlies didn't closer than three points the rest of the ball game.

Lin finished the game with 18 points -- with 14 points coming in the fourth quarter.

"I just tried to stay aggressive," said Lin. "I know I had a lot of mistakes early on; and, I am thankful to God that I got in rhythm. We really didn't feel good out there. It was an ugly game all around."

Harden scored 27 points on 22 for 25 free throw shooting and 2 for 9 from the floor. Harden became the first player in NBA history to score 27 points on two or fewer made field goals. Harden's 22 made free throws tied the Rockets' single-game record for free throws made set by Eric "Sleepy" Floyd. Floyd went 22 for 27 at the foul line on February 3, 1991, versus the Golden State Warriors.

"Just being aggressive, being aggressive," Harden said. "I couldn't make a shot. I just tried to get to the rim. We were kind of stagnant throughout the middle of the game -- especially the third quarter. So, I just wanted to get in attack mode."

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