ROCKETS 97, GRIZZLIES 93: Kyle Lowry scored 24 points, including two clutch free throws in the final seconds, to give host Houston a hard-fought victory.

Houston picked up its third win in its last four outings and snapped a two-game losing streak to Memphis. The Grizzlies had their four-game winning run spoiled and remained winless in their last 11 trips to the Toyota Center.

Lowry buried a deep 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring to open the fourth quarter, extending a 12-2 run for the Rockets.

Houston built on that following a clear-path foul, with Courtney Lee hitting two free throws then burying a corner 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to put the Rockets up by 10 points with just under nine minutes remaining.

Memphis started the fourth quarter 0 for 8 and didn’t score its first field goal until the 5:43 mark of the final period.

Rudy Gay’s layup pulled the Grizzlies to within two points with 19 seconds remaining, however Memphis could not complete the comeback. Gay, scored 18 of his 23 points in the first half, struggling against longer defender Chandler Parsons in the second half.

Kevin Martin chipped in with 22 points for the Rockets, shooting 8 for 13 for the floor.

Marreese Speights hit his first six shots of the game, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Mike Conley added 16 points for Memphis.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Houston hit 12 of its final 13 shots of the first quarter. … Samuel Dalembert was back in the Rockets’ starting lineup after being benched for missing shootout around this week. … Houston improved to 11-2 when leading at halftime. … Memphis hasn’t won in Houston since April 2006.