On January 10, 2025, the Houston Rockets faced off against the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA regular season game. After four quarters of intense competition, the Rockets narrowly defeated the Grizzlies with a score of 119-115, securing a valuable away victory. Both teams are currently ranked high in the Western Conference, making this focus match crucial for playoff rankings. Despite inconsistent performances from the Rockets as a whole, several key players' outstanding displays ensured the team's victory.
Game Progression: The Rockets fought back tenaciously, leading by three quarters to secure the win.
The game began with the Grizzlies holding the home advantage, but the Rockets quickly took control thanks to Jalen Green's efficient scoring and Shen Jing's excellent inside play. By the end of the first quarter, the Rockets led 45-36, with Green and VanVleet's three-pointers continuously widening the gap. Although the Grizzlies attempted to catch up through Morant's breakthroughs and Jackson's inside scoring, the Rockets' defense made it difficult for the Grizzlies to score consistently.
In the second quarter, the Grizzlies managed to close the gap somewhat through their two core players' efficient offense, but at halftime, the Rockets still led 68-63. In the second half, the Rockets continued their strong performance, with a 33-29 run in the third quarter. By the end of the third quarter, the Rockets were ahead 101-92. Despite the Grizzlies' comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, the Rockets held on under pressure and ultimately won 119-115.
Player Performance Ratings:
- Jalen Green: Perfect Score
- Shen Jing: Perfect Score
- VanVleet: Perfect Score
- Amen: Passing
- Dillon: Struggling
- Tate: Passing
- Whitmore: Struggling
- Adams: Passing
- Holiday: Struggling
Personal Opinion
Although the Rockets' victory was hard-fought, it still demonstrated their relatively stable overall strength. Jalen Green and Shen Jing's performances were undoubtedly key to determining the outcome, and VanVleet's leadership ensured the team did not collapse in critical moments. However, the lackluster performances of players like Dillon and Holiday are concerning. If the Rockets want to progress further in the playoffs, they must improve these players' consistency and performance. In the future, the depth of the Rockets' lineup and the personal states of the players will need further adjustments and improvements to better face upcoming challenges.
