Grizzlies remain unfazed during Rockets' comeback attempt to end nine-game losing streak
The Houston Rockets kept chipping away against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night at FedExForum.
Memphis jumped out to a 23-point lead early in the second quarter against a team it had failed to beat this season. Maybe this was the Grizzlies' chance to finally end that streak.
When Houston took the lead with 10:07 left in the fourth quarter, it felt like all of the momentum had shifted.
But the Grizzlies responded. Memphis went on a 17-5 run midway through the fourth quarter and pulled away in a 121-113 win.
Jaren Jackson Jr. had 11 points while leading the charge in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 18 points. GG Jackson led the Grizzlies (19-36) with 20 points.
The Rockets (24-30) quickly got within single-digits after a 26-8 run in the second quarter. Memphis held Houston off in the the third quarter while the Rockets tried to get back into the game. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 19 points.
The win snapped the Grizzlies' nine-game losing streak, which was the longest in the NBA entering Wednesday.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
No point guard in starting lineup
Memphis used a starting lineup that didn't feature any of the natural point guards. Derrick Rose came off the bench, Scotty Pippen Jr. was out with a lower back injury and Jacob Gilyard did not play. Recent 10-day signing Jordan Goodwin made his debut with two minutes left in the first quarter.
Luke Kennard and John Konchar handled most of the point guard duties to start the game.
The Grizzlies can get away with not playing point guards in stretches because of their commitment to swinging the ball and not playing an offense predicated on creating isolations. As a result, 14 of the Grizzlies' first 15 made shots were on assisted baskets. However, not having a lead guard shows up in stretches. When Houston ramped up its defensive pressure, the Grizzlies looked uncomfortable on offense. Memphis was able to close the game out behind its strong defense.
Ziaire Williams and GG Jackson's strong returns
Ziaire Williams returned on Wednesday after missing the past eight games, and GG Jackson was back after a one-game suspension. Both players gave the Grizzlies early sparks off the bench. Williams threw down an alley-oop and made a buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter to give Memphis a 15-point lead. Jackson had become the Grizzlies' sixth man with his ability to bring instant offense off the bench.
The Grizzlies beat Dillon Brooks
They finally got him. After Houston won its third straight meeting this season against Memphis, Dillon Brooks said that he never wanted to lose to this team. Many of the players he has spent the past few years with weren't on the floor, but the Grizzlies got the better of Brooks on Wednesday. Brooks shot 5-for-17 and finished with 19 points.
What's next
Memphis is back in action on Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks in the final game before the all-star break. Vince Williams Jr. is the only Memphis player participating over the all-star weekend.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies snap nine-game losing streak with win over Rockets
