Rockets lose to Grizzlies, 88-87

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Chandler Parsons NBA-record 10 three-point shots in the second half were not enough as the Houston Rockets lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 88-87 Friday night in front of announced crowd of 16,998 fans.

"We didn't make a lot of shots," said Kevin McHale. "Chandler kept us in the game. Otherwise, it would have been an 88 to 70 game. For whatever reason, we weren't sharp today. We didn't attack. We had fourteen free throws. We've had fourteen free throws in a quarter before. We just weren't very sharp the whole game."

The Rockets were unable (unwilling?) to speed up the Grizzlies the entire ball game; therefore, the Grizzlies' slow, methodical tempo dominated the game.

"We couldn't get anything going," McHale lamented. "We couldn't sustain anything. We tried to get to Dwight; but, he got in foul trouble; and, it was an in and out thing again which seems to throw us off our rhythm."

Memphis led the Rockets 21-20 after the first quarter; and, the Rockets shot 4 for 19 field goal shooting in the second resulted in a 41-28 deficit with 1:12 remaining until halftime.

Omri Casspi sank the Rockets first three-pointer (after 13 misses) with 30 seconds on the clock. The Rockets scored 7 points in the final 72 seconds to avoid their lowest scoring first half of the season.

The Grizzlies led 44-35 at halftime. The Rockets shot 33.3% (14 for 42) from the floor in the half.

The third quarter was the Chandler Parsons' Show. Parsons took six shots in the third quarter -- all six were three-point shots. Parsons made all six attempts.

With Parsons setting the nets on fire, the Rockets outscored the Grizzlies 29-20 in the quarter to tie the game at 64 after three quarters.

Parsons' continued his ridiculously unconscious three-point shooting in the fourth by making four consecutive threes -- 10 for 10, if you're keeping up -- the 10th bucket cut the Rockets' deficit to 88-87 with 1:51 remaining in the game.

Parsons' missed the 11th three-point shot -- a 30-foot launch after James Harden got in trouble in the paint.

The Rockets' defense held the Grizzlies scoreless the final 1:51; but, after Parson missed the three-point shot, Patrick Beverley missed a tip-in. Then, with 31.9 on the clock, Parsons missed a difficult 8-foot fade away. Dwight Howard missed the tip in.

The Rockets got the ball with 8.3 seconds remaining; and, after a time-out, Parsons received the in-bound pass; he and Dwight Howard ran pick-and-roll. The Grizzlies double-teamed Parsons; Parsons passed to Beverley and Beverley launched a three-point shot as the game clock wound down.

Miss.

"It was pick-and-roll," Kevin McHale said of the final play. "They (the Grizzlies) put two on him (Parsons). Dwight rolled; and, we didn't come back and replace behind. Chandler was hot; so, we tried getting him the ball on a little isolation with the pick-and-roll with Dwight. They put two on the ball; and, we didn't fill in behind."

Parsons described the final possession: "They came out and trapped; and, I was going to throw it back to James (Harden); and, James cut; and, I guess he was denied. And, I couldn't really give it to Dwight (Howard); so, I just kind of got stuck; and, I picked my dribble up. I should have kept my dribble alive."

Rockets lose 88-87.

The Rockets made 32 of 79 field goals (40.5%). Parsons made 11 (out of 17, 10 for 14 on threes) of the 32 baskets.

Parsons had no idea he broke an NBA record; but, he'd rather have the win.

"It's frustrating," Parsons said. "At the end of the day, you want to win the game no matter how good or bad you play. It's really irrelevant if you lose the game. It's frustrating."

The Rockets head to Memphis tonight to play the Grizzlies (again) Saturday night. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.