Reaction: Rockets stun Grizzlies behind Christian Wood masterclass
Christian Wood continued his run of phenomenal play in March with 28 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday, and it led the way in Houston’s shocking 128-113 win (box score) over visiting Memphis.
Facing a tough opponent in Steven Adams, Wood hit 8-of-12 shots overall (66.7%) and shot 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%). He also blocked two shots and made 8-of-11 free throws (72.7%), which had been a liability for the big man throughout much of the 2021-22 season. Those eight makes included going 2-for-2 in the final minute to ice the game.
In four games this month, Wood is now averaging 22.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 35.5 minutes per game. He is shooting 62.5% overall (at an average of 12.0 attempts per game), 50.0% on 3-pointers (5.0 attempts per game), and 72.4% on free throws.
All-Star guard and MVP candidate Ja Morant had 22 points and 6 assists for the Grizzlies, but he shot just 7-of-20 from the field (35.0%) and was generally outplayed by Houston’s young backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Porter, now in his third season, scored a game-high 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting (52.4%), with 19 coming in the third quarter as Houston erased a 10-point halftime deficit.
Meanwhile, Green scored 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%) while grabbing 8 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. Two of Green’s makes were on extremely contested shots in the closing minutes as Houston put the game away in front of a joyous crowd at Toyota Center.
The Grizzlies (44-22) still own the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Rockets (16-48) remain in last. But at least for one night, and with three of their prime building blocks leading the way, Houston left its fans with legitimate hopes for the future.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.
#Rockets tonight:
Jalen Green:
24 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 8/17 FG
Kevin Porter Jr:
29 PTS | 5 AST | 11/21 FG | 4/11 3FG
Christian Wood:
28 PTS | 13 REB | 2 BLK | 8/12 FG
Huge games from all three tonight in the W against the (formerly) No. 2 seed Grizzlies.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 7, 2022
Highlights
Stephen Silas: “We were tired of losing and it showed.” pic.twitter.com/e5bfmFIrZh
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 7, 2022
Christian Wood, KPJ and Jalen Green outplayed Ja Morant tonight
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) March 7, 2022
Stephen Silas on Christian Wood tonight: "This is the best game I've ever seen him play. On both ends"
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 7, 2022
This is C Wood best overall game of the year
— Lachard Binkley (@HTOWN4LIFE40) March 7, 2022
Top 3 Christian Wood game of the season. Played like he had something to prove
— DGC (@Itamar_17_10) March 7, 2022
Forget the offense Christian Wood has been great defensively
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) March 7, 2022
"It should build all of their confidence, for all three guys to be that connected." – #Rockets head coach Stephen Silas on Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood all having 24+ tonight
— B. Scott from Hiram Clarke (@brandonkscott) March 7, 2022
"We were tired of losing and it showed," said Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. #Rockets #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 7, 2022
Tonight you saw a real flash of what Rockets basketball is going to look like!!!!!!!!
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) March 7, 2022
What’s next
Houston (16-48) flew to Miami immediately after Sunday’s game went final to prepare for night two of a tough back-to-back, with Monday’s tipoff versus the Heat (43-22) set for 6:30 p.m. CST.
The Grizzlies (44-22), who just wrapped up a split back-to-back of their own, will have Monday off before hosting New Orleans on Tuesday.
This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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