The Houston Roundball Review Media Group covers sports by: Kris Gardner. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Naismith, USBWA, WBHOF, and Wooden awards.
Rockets' offense sputters down the stretch in loss to Grizzlies
Posted: October 23, 2017 -- 11:31 pm CST.
HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Prior to Monday night, the Houston Rockets' players and coaches acknowledged they have not played well offensively; and, in fact, they were glad to be 3 and 0 - despite the poor offense. The Memphis Grizzlies continued the Rockets' struggles on offense Monday night with a 98-90 victory. The Rockets scored only 4 points in the final 7:29 of the fourth quarter which helped the Grizzlies erase an 86-75 Rockets' lead to hand the Rockets loss number one (3-1) of this nascent NBA season.
The Rockets did not score fewer than 93 points last season and only scored below 100 five times (2-3 record) in 2016-'17.
"Give them (the Grizzlies) credit. They're a good team; and, they played really well," Mike D'Antoni said after the game. They got into us; and, we had a hard time finding easy shots."
Both teams shot the ball well in the first quarter: the Rockets made 10 of their 18 field goal attempts while the Grizzlies made 9 of 18 attempts. The Rockets led 26-24 after the first quarter. James Harden scored a team-high 7 points in the opening 12 minutes while Memphis big man Marc Gasol scored 10 first quarter points for the Grizzlies.
Eric Gordon heated up in the second quarter. Gordon scored 13 points in the period including 3 for 4 three-pointers. Harden added 5 points in the quarter to help the Rockets outscore the Grizzlies 31-26 in the period and lead 57-50 at halftime.
The Rockets shot 50 percent (10 for 20) from the floor in the second quarter while the Grizzlies shot 43.8% (7 for 16).
The two teams cooled off after halftime. Made field goals were at a premium in the third quarter. The Grizzlies went ice cold (26.7%) with only four buckets in the third quarter (17 attempts); however, the Rockets did not shoot much better (35.0%) -- with 7 buckets (20 attempts).
The Rockets attempted 12 three-point shots in the third quarter. Made 1.
The Grizzlies (3-0) won the woeful third period 20-19; but, the Rockets led 76-70 after three quarters.
With James Harden resting on the bench, the Rockets outscored the Grizzlies 10-5 in the first 4:31 of the fourth quarter and led 86-75.
After Marc Gasol was fouled while scoring, Harden checked into the game with Gasol at the foul line to attempt the free throw to complete the three point play.
After Gasol made the free throw, the Rockets led 86-78 with 7:03 remaining in the ball game.
The Rockets made 2 field goals the rest of the game: a James Harden driving finger roll with 6:22 on the clock and a Clint Capela slam dunk with 2:22 remaining.
Two made baskets. Ten misses.
In typical grit-and-grind style, the Grizzlies methodically controlled the game down the stretch. Memphis guard Mike Conley scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. Conley nailed a three-point shot to tie the game at 88; then, Conley dished to James Ennis III for a lay-up plus the foul for a three-point play to give the Grizzlies a 91-88 lead; next, Conley swished another three-point shot for a 94-90 Grizzlies' lead.
Conley scored the Grizzlies final 7 points; and, he scored 10 of their last 13 (he assisted on the other 3 points).
"They (the Rockets) did a good job for the first three quarters defending me," Conley said after the game. "They kept switching and making it tough. Every shot I took was a tough shot up until the fourth quarter.
"In the fourth quarter and when I got back into the game, Coach (Fizdale) ran a couple of plays for me and got me some good looks and, after that, I just into a good rhythm."
The Rockets lost despite not allowing the Grizzlies to score any fast break points. However, the Rockets only scored 4 fast breaks and only scored six points off 12 Grizzlies' turnovers.
Eric Gordon scored a game-high 27 points for the Rockets; and, James Harden added 22 points. Gordon and Harden each shot 8 for from the floor. Clint Capela added 14 points (7 for 9 field goal shooting.)
The Rockets next game is Wednesday, at Philadelphia. Tip time is 6 p.m.
