Houston Rockets Endure Memphis Grizzlies 117-111 In OT

Wow! That was quite a gem that I saw out of the Houston Rockets last night!

You would’ve thought with how they played toward the midpoint of the game that I’d be talking about otherwise.

However, it’s not always about how one starts but how they finish.

This team certainly showed that they know how to finish the toughest of opponents off.

This was the first time us Rockets’ fans were able to take a peek at our newest acquisition — Josh Smith.

He did not disappoint — we saw a power dunk early in the game shortly after he checked in, we saw him playing defense and we saw him wiping the boards clean with innate ability to rebound.

I know we have to see more games out of Smith but I think he is that missing piece the Rockets need.

Many Rockets’ fans have said that “we’re just one player away.” I honestly think that he is that one player we need to take over the top and compete with the best of the NBA.

He seems to mesh well with this team in addition the other recent acquisitions the Rockets made in Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved.

His 21 point, eight rebound performance in 31 minutes was quite the debut he made that I wasn’t quite expecting.

But it goes to show that he is capable to take over games offensively if the other guys are in a rut.

Nov 17, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Houston Rockets center

Dwight Howard

(12) drives between Memphis Grizzlies center

Marc Gasol

(33) and guard

Beno Udrih

(19) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Houston 119-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockets remained in the game throughout and it never seemed out-of-reach for them.

The 1st quarter was a duel back-and-forth and Smith checked in for the first time as a Rocket with 9:11 left after Howard picked up two quick fouls and a technical.

Smith had to play a bit more than expected because Howard didn’t quite manage his fouls quite well throughout the game.

His first points were off a runner to put the Rockets within two with 6:35 left in the first. Grizzlies 14, Rockets 12

It look only a about a minute later to see Smith’s acrobatics as he eased his way into a pronounced two-handed dunk as he drove from the right baseline. He put the Rockets up for the first time since the Rockets led 2-0 at the beginning of the game. Rockets 16, Grizzlies 14

The Grizz pulled slightly away toward the end of the 1st with a Quincy Pondexter tip and two pairs of free throws by Vince Carter and Kosta Koufos to put themselves up 31-24 over the Rockets.

The momentum continued to work in favor of the Grizzlies as they lead throughout the 2nd quarter with their largest lead being 14 points with a Mike Conley pull-up with 2:17 left. Grizzlies 54, Rockets 40

Smith, Trevor Ariza, James Harden and Dwight Howard all contributed to a 17-3 run to put the Rockets within seven at the end of the half. Grizzlies 57, Rockets 50

The Rockets spent the 3rd quarter attempting to get closer but the Grizz would continue to make plays keep them at bay.

Harden was finally able to tie the game at 73-all with a pull-up with 3:01 left.

Nov 17, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Quincy Pondexter (8) drives around Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

But Pondexter, Beno Udrih and Marc Gasol all worked to push the Rockets back a bit but the team persevered to stay within two at the end of the 3rd. This was after a Smith layup. Grizzlies 81, Rockets 79

Here’s where the pendulum swung in the Rockets’ direction…

Brewer rose to the occasion at the beginning of the 4th by not only tying the game but pushing the Rockets to take the lead with a three-pointer with 9:50 left. This was with a respective layup on the previous possession. This was their first lead since early in the game. Rockets 84, Grizzlies 81

The Rox’s three-ball continued to fall with another by Brewer, Harden along with a Jason Terry one with 5:19 left putting the Rockets up by nine, their largest of the game. Rockets 95, Grizzlies 86

Gasol scored six quick points off two buckets in back-to-back possession and got fouled by Ariza to put the Grizz within four with 2:41 left.

Tony Allen drove in with a reverse layup and Carter hit a pivotal three with 1:33 left to put the Grizz up by one. Grizzlies 101, Rockets 100

Smith answered with a another runner to lay it in from the right but Carter hit another three to put the Grizz up by two with 28 seconds left. Grizzlies, 104, Rockets 102

After a timeout by the Rockets, Harden — our MVP — had the ball in his hands, went one-on-one and drove from the left to tie the game at 104-all with a layup with 15 seconds left.

The Grizz then took a timeout but after two chances for the win by Carter and Gasol, they missed those after the Rockets applied just right amount of pressure on defense.

Nov 17, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) drives as Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) defends and Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) looks on during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Overtime!

Right out the game, Howard drew a foul off of Carter sending him to the free throw line.

He had been 0-for-4 on the game but sunk both with confidence even after losing one of his contact lenses briefly. Rockets 106, Grizzlies 104

Ariza hit another three of a Harden assist — his 10th of the game by the way — pushing the Rockets up by five with 3:33 left. Rockets 109. Grizzlies 104

It was certainly a game of free throws down the stretch with the Rockets winning that battle with Smith, Harden and Howard taking full advantage of their opportunities. Rockets 115, Grizzlies 111

After a Grizz timeout with 19 seconds left, Carter had another chance put his team closer but his shot bricked causing Patrick Beverley to get the rebound. Harden was already heading in the other direction as he sped away with unfettered access on a break to cap this Rockets win with a dunk with no time on the clock! Final Score: Rockets 117, Grizzlies 111

The Rockets proved that they are the endurance warriors having won all of their overtime contests this season — they’re 4-0.

Harden led all scorers with 32 points, 10 dimes, eight rebounds and three blocks in 41 mintues of action. He was 10-for-17 from the field and 10-of-11 from the charity stripe. He was the team leader in blocks as well!

Ariza threw in 15/10 in a solid effort to help his team win.

Brewer threw in 13 points in 22 minutes of action, going 3-for-5 from behind-the-arc.