On January 10, 2025, Beijing time, the 24-win and 13-loss Grizzlies faced off against the 24-win and 12-loss Rockets at home. This was a crucial match, with the Rockets currently ranked second in the West and the Grizzlies third. Who would win this game? The Rockets were without Smith and Ison, starting with VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon, Amen, and Shen Jing. On the Grizzlies side, Morant returned, starting with Morant, Bane, Wells, Jackson, and Eddie.
In the first quarter, Wells, Morant, and Jackson scored for the Grizzlies, while Dillon and Jalen Green chased points for the Rockets, leaving the Grizzlies ahead by one point. Eddie hit a three-pointer, making it 10-6 for the Grizzlies. Shen Jing then scored eight consecutive points, with only Jackson scoring for the Grizzlies, allowing the Rockets to take a two-point lead. After a timeout, Morant hit a three-pointer, Amen made a 2+1, and Shen Jing made a layup, extending the Rockets' lead to four points. Jackson and Morant scored again, but VanVleet scored six straight points, followed by Jalen Green and Amen, giving the Rockets a ten-point lead. After another timeout, Shen Jing dunked, increasing the lead to 12 points. Huf, Clarke, and Kennard scored for the Grizzlies, but Shen Jing responded with consecutive points, keeping the lead at eight points. Aldama, Kennard, and Morant scored, while Jalen Green responded in kind, ending the first quarter with the Rockets leading 45-36. Shen Jing set a personal season record for single-quarter scoring with 16 points in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Jackson made a jumper, reducing the lead to seven points. Whitmore hit a three-pointer, making it a ten-point lead for the Rockets. Wells, Morant, and Jackson scored for the Grizzlies, but VanVleet, Whitmore, Dillon, and Shen Jing responded strongly, extending the lead to 17 points. Aldama and Huf scored, but VanVleet and Shen Jing responded, maintaining a 14-point lead. Aldama, Clarke, Kennard, and Jackson narrowed the gap to five points. After a timeout, Jalen Green made a layup, and Jackson made both free throws, ending the half with the Rockets leading 68-63.
In the third quarter, Jackson hit a three-pointer, reducing the lead to two points. Shen Jing and VanVleet scored for the Rockets, while Morant made consecutive free throws and Bane hit a three-pointer, giving the Grizzlies a two-point lead. Shen Jing and Tate responded, taking a three-point lead, but Morant took it back with a two-point lead. Tate and Jalen Green responded, taking a four-point lead. Bane and Huf scored, but Shen Jing, Tate, and Jalen Green responded, giving the Rockets a seven-point lead. After a timeout, VanVleet scored four straight points, increasing the lead to 11 points. Clarke and Morant scored for the Grizzlies, but Shen Jing and VanVleet responded, ending the third quarter with the Rockets leading 101-92.
In the fourth quarter, Jalen Green hit a three-pointer, giving the Rockets a 12-point lead. Jackson and Bane scored for the Grizzlies, while Whitmore, Amen, and Tate made three out of six free throws, reducing the lead to eight points. Llarvia scored four straight points, while Tate and Shen Jing made three out of four free throws, keeping the lead at seven points. Bane scored consecutively, but Jalen Green responded in kind, maintaining an eight-point lead. Bane, Kennard, and Morant went on a 7-0 run, reducing the lead to one point. VanVleet made a mid-range shot, keeping the lead at three points with one minute left. Bane made one out of two free throws, and Holiday made both, keeping the lead at four points with three seconds left. Morant missed a three-pointer, ending the game with the Rockets defeating the Grizzlies 119-115, refusing to be reversed.
Shen Jing scored 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists on 12 out of 20 shooting, achieving the feat of 30+10+5 for the first time this season. Jalen Green scored 27 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals on 11 out of 21 shooting. VanVleet scored 22 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 4 steals on 8 out of 13 shooting. Amen scored 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Tate scored 12 points and 4 rebounds, setting a personal season record for scoring.
Morant scored 27 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists on 9 out of 22 shooting. Jackson scored 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocks on 9 out of 15 shooting, setting a personal season record for blocks. Bane scored 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Aldama scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. Kennard scored 11 points.
After the win, the Rockets solidified their second-place ranking in the West, while the Grizzlies remained in third after the loss. The Rockets defeated the core Grizzlies on the road despite missing Smith and Ison, truly rising to the top of the league. The Western landscape has changed.