National Basketball Association
Houston 103, Memphis 96
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 15, 2023
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Officials: #24 Kevin Scott, #49 Tom Washington, #94 JD Ralls
Attendance: 16941

Fred VanVleet broke a late tie with a jumper, Dillon Brooks disappointed his old fans with a last-minute 3-pointer and the visiting Houston Rockets overcame an early deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 103-96 on Friday night.

Brooks finished with a season-high-tying 26 points, helping the Rockets complete a three-day, home-and-home sweep of the Grizzlies, who had lost 117-104 on Wednesday night in Houston.

Desmond Bane had a game-high 28 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for his second double-double for the Grizzlies, who dropped to 0-3 against the Rockets this season after having already been beaten 111-91 in Houston last month.

Down by as many as 17 points earlier, the Rockets took a 75-74 lead into the fourth period and retained a slight advantage until Jaren Jackson Jr. finally drew the hosts even at 94-all on a three-point play with 1:51 to go.

But VanVleet countered immediately with his 22-footer with 1:34 to play, triggering a 9-2 finish that gave Houston its fifth straight win and Memphis its fourth straight loss.

Dillon's back-breaking 3-pointer came with 40.0 seconds left, opening a five-point deficit from which the Grizzlies never recovered.

The Grizzlies blitzed the Rockets from the get-go, scoring the night's first five points and limiting the visitors to 14 first-quarter points en route to a 17-point lead.

The lead was gone, however, before the end of the third period, with Aaron Holiday's 3-pointer giving Houston a 75-72 advantage and setting up a tightly contested fourth quarter.

Brooks' team-high point total equaled his output against Sacramento last month. He shot 10-for-20 from the field while also finding time for seven rebounds.

VanVleet put up 16 points, a game-high eight assists, a game-high four steals and two blocks for Houston, while Alperen Sengun chipped in with 15 points and three blocks. Jalen Green added 14 points, Jeff Green 12 and Tari Eason 11.

Bane's rebound total bettered the 11 he had against the Charlotte Hornets last January.

Jackson, who poured in 44 points in Wednesday's loss to the Rockets, was good for 22 to complement four blocks for Memphis, while Santi Aldama and Vince Williams Jr. added 11 points apiece and Bismack Biyombo 10.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Houston   Memphis
Dillon Brooks 26 Scoring Desmond Bane 28
Fred VanVleet 8 Assists Desmond Bane 3
Jabari Smith Jr. 12 Rebounds Desmond Bane 13
Alperen Sengun 7 Free Throws Made Jaren Jackson Jr. 6
Fred VanVleet 4 Steals Desmond Bane 2
Alperen Sengun 3 Blocks Jaren Jackson Jr. 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Houston 103 36.4 11-29 28-32 18 51 10 10 11
Memphis 96 40.2 11-40 11-15 19 48 8 4 18
Upcoming Games
  • Memphis will play their next game on the road against Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .167 after a win and .278 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game on the road against Milwaukee. The Rockets have a W/L % of .769 after a win and .333 after a loss.
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