HOUSTON — History was repeating itself Sunday afternoon at Toyota Center.
After the Memphis Grizzlies had one of their worst losses of the season to the Houston Rockets on March 6, some noticeable similarities occurred in the first half Sunday.
The Grizzlies built a double-digit first-half lead despite uneven play, and a frustrated Jaren Jackson Jr. picked up three early fouls early in the second quarter as he walked to the end of the bench with a blank look on his face.
The Rockets went on a 10-0 run in the third quarter to cut the Grizzlies’ lead to seven, then Memphis took off. The Grizzlies got defensive stops and sprinted in transition in a 122-98 win over the Rockets.
Ja Morant missed the game with right knee soreness. Tyus Jones started in his place and paced the Grizzlies with seven assists.
Before the game, Rockets coach Stephen Silas noted Desmond Bane as a player who steps up when Morant is out. Silas had the right idea, but the Rockets struggled to contain Bane, who led the Grizzlies with 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting and added seven assists.
Here are some observations from the Grizzlies win:
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GRIZZLIES PODCAST:Dillon Brooks, the race for the No. 2 seed and ESPN’s all-access for the Grizzlies
Grizzlies shooting spree
Much has been made of the Grizzlies’ inconsistent shooting, but it’s not often that Memphis shoots the way it did in Houston. Four starters made multiple 3-pointers, and the biggest 3-point shooting performance came from off the bench. De’Anthony Melton made four 3-pointers.
The Grizzlies shot 47% on 3-pointers and 14-of-17 from the free-throw line. This was the 11th time this season where Memphis shot 40% on 3s and 80% or better on free throws.
Dillon Brooks effect
Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. put the Grizzlies away two weeks ago. Dillon Brooks didn’t play in that game. Brooks made his presence felt as he guarded Porter and took him out of the game. Porter shot 4-for-14 and scored 11 points. Green was also held to 3-for-13 shooting and eight points.
Brooks got the job done on offense, too. He put together his best scoring game since his return, finishing with 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting in 25 minutes.
Jaren Jackson Jr. responds to adversity
Jackson was called for his fourth foul on an and-one drive from Rockets forward Alperen Sengun. Jackson didn’t know the foul was called on him until the public address announcer said his name. The 6-foot-11 Jackson bent over with two hands raised as he pleaded his case to the referees before heading back to the bench.
Two weeks ago, Jackson picked up a fourth foul early in the third quarter, then got his fifth foul quick enough for coach Taylor Jenkins to sit him the remainder of the game. This time, Jackson entered the game in the fourth quarter and knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers.
Contact Damichael Cole at [email protected] and on Twitter @damichaelc
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism