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Surging Grizzlies blast Rockets 109-86 Stromile Swift had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and the surging Memphis Grizzlies rode a big early lead to a 109-86 victory Friday night over the Houston Rockets.
Five Grizzlies finished in double figures in a game so lopsided that most of the starters from both teams were on the bench for the final 10 minutes. Memphis led by 20 points after the first quarter. The Grizzlies led by as many as 29 points, with Houston getting no closer than 13 in the second quarter.
James Posey, Pau Gasol and Bonzi Wells added 12 points apiece for Memphis. Swift also blocked two shots.
Steve Francis had 17 points for the Rockets. Yao Ming and Jim Jackson added 14 points each for Houston. Yao grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots, but was five of 13 from the floor in part due to the physical defense of Swift and center Jake Tsakalidis.
Memphis, as it did Wednesday night against New York, got off to a quick start, shooting 75 percent in the first quarter. Bo Outlaw's tip as the period ended gave the Grizzlies a 39-19 lead.
Memphis missed only two of its seven 3-pointers in the quarter, and for the game hit 10 of 19 from beyond the arc.
It was the most points scored by Memphis in any quarter this season, and the most given up by the Rockets in a period.
The demoralizing part for Houston was shooting 56 percent in the quarter and trailing by 20. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Rockets 11-2 in the period.
The Grizzlies led a 59-42 at the half. Memphis took an 86-65 lead into the final period. |
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