Rockets forward Chandler Parsons stole the show, but it was Memphis' defense that ultimately won the game as the Grizzlies came out of Houston with a 88-87 win.
Grizzlies vs. Rockets final score: Memphis’ defense stifles Houston, 88-87
The Rockets had won six of their last seven, but couldn’t get past a scrappy Memphis team Friday night.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston had the ball with eight seconds remaining and a chance to win, but couldn't get off a clean look against that Grizzlies defense. The Grizzlies were led by Courtney Lee, who finished with 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Zach Randolph added 15 and Mike Conley chipped in 14.
Parsons broke Robert Horry’s Rockets record for three-pointers in a game, sinking 10 of his 14 attempts from long range and finishing with a career-high 34 points. Those 10 threes all came in the second half, an NBA record for long balls in a half.
The Rockets had been steamrolling since their disappointing, 19-point second half against the Thunder a little over a week ago. They had scored over 114 points in three straight wins prior to Friday, but the Grizzlies defense has regained form with the recent return of Marc Gasol, last year's Defensive Player of the Year.
On Friday, that defense held the Rockets in check enough for the offense to scrape out a win.
Memphis was tough in the first half, holding the hot-shooting Rockets to 35 points and 33 percent shooting in the first half. Houston caught a groove in the third quarter, netting 29 points and 8-of-11 from behind the arc to tie things up at 64 before the final 12 minutes.
The Rockets couldn’t convert on their final possession, though, and the Grizzlies snuck out with a win.
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