Jan 9, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) handles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) defends during the third quarter of an NBA game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Alperen Sengun collected 32 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, Jalen Green added 27 points and Fred VanVleet contributed 22 to lead the Houston Rockets past the Memphis Grizzlies 119-115 for their fifth straight road victory.
Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with 27 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 21 points and eight rebounds. Santi Aldama came off the bench to finish with 12 points and nine rebounds. Jackson, the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for December, had a season-high six blocks.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: NBA: Alperen Sengun dominates as Rockets knock off Wizards
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Sengun: 32 PTS, 14 REB, 5 ASTGreen: 27 PTS, 4 3PM (4th-straight 25+ game)
📊 25-12, 2nd in the West for the @HoustonRockets! pic.twitter.com/xyfa3wXb9x
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2025
The benchmark PSEi fell by 0.18 percent, or 13.05 points, to close at 7,411.47 while the broader All-Shares index climbed by 0.10 percent, or 4.16 points, to sit at 4,037.52 by the closing bell on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Morant and Aldama returned to action Thursday after brief injury-induced absences. Morant had been out since Dec. 27 with a shoulder injury, and Aldama hadn’t played since Dec. 26 because of an ankle sprain. Desmond Bane also returned after missing Monday’s win over Dallas with an ankle injury. He scored 16 points.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Grizzlies and Rockets, who have the second- and third-most wins in the Western Conference teams behind Oklahoma City, met in the first of three games against each another this month. The Rockets moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Grizzlies. The two teams will play Monday in Houston and Jan. 30 back in Memphis.
Article continues after this advertisementJan 9, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles around a screen as Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Memphis shot 50 percent, but was undone by 20 turnovers, which Houston converted into 31 Houston.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Grizzlies trailed by 10 early in the fourth quarter, but scrapped back to cut the deficit to 115-114 with 2:49 to go. Aaron Holiday preserved the win for Houston with two free throws — his only points of the game — with 2.6 seconds left.
READ: NBA fines Rockets’ Ime Udoka, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun
Article continues after this advertisementThe Rockets built a 17-point lead in the first half, mostly behind 18 points from Sengun.
free online slot machinesHouston used a 25-9 run to go up 31-19 in the first quarter, and the Rockets extended the lead to 61-44 midway through the second quarter following a hook shot by Sengun.
Memphis rallied in the closing minutes of the half to trim the Houston advantage to 68-63 at the break.
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Green had 15 points and VanVleet had 10 in the first half for Houston. Former Grizzlies’ big man Steven Adams had seven rebounds in the half.
The Grizzlies shot 52.1 percent in the half and were led by Jackson (14 points) and Morant (11). Aldama had 10 points and five rebounds. –Field Level Mediavoslot
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