The Houston Rockets (20-19) moved back over .500 for the first time since December 21 with a victory Wednesday night over the Memphis Grizzlies (21-19) at FedEx Forum, 107-91.
Terrence Jones exploded for 10 of his 20 points in a decisive 35-22 fourth quarter for the Rockets, his first 20-point game since doing it twice in a row back on November 13 and 14. The Grizzlies worked their way back from a six-point deficit to begin the fourth quarter to tie it at 80-80, but one of Jones's two three-pointers of the period remaining gave the Rockets an 86-83 lead with 7:13 remaining, and they wouldn't relinquish it.
Rockets star James Harden led all scorers with 25 points behind four three-pointers and a clean 9-10 performance from the free throw line. Dwight Howard's 14 rebounds led all players, and he added 17 points on a sharp 6-10 shooting (including a rare perfect 5-5 night from the free throw line). The Rockets shot a ludicrous 18-35 (51.4 percent) from the three-point line, too much shooting for the Grizzlies to overcome.
Marc Gasol's 20 points on 8-15 shooting led the Grizzlies. Tony Allen added 17 points and Courtney Lee scored 16, each on 6-12 shooting nights. But the Grizzlies just couldn't produce enough offense to stay with Houston's vicious three-point attack, despite a decent night from downtown themselves (7-18, 38.9 percent).
The Rockets return home Thursday night to take on Minnesota. Memphis will continue their homestand Friday night against the Pistons.
