By: Don Phillips
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies
On November 25th, the Grizzlies out-shot the Rockets 47.6% to 37.5% in the first quarter, led by as many as seven and were up four entering the second quarter. James Harden had 10 of his 40 points in the quarter. Memphis led 38-26 with 9:05 left in the second quarter but took a brief lead late in the half before settling on a three-point deficit at the break. The Rockets shot 63.2% in the quarter.
Houston came as close as two points at 68-66 with 7:20 left in the third quarter, but trailed by five heading into the fourth. Jeff Green had 12 of his team-high 20 points in the quarter. The Rockets trailed 82-79 with 9:32 remaining before Memphis pulled away for good with a 6-0 run as Houston shot 3-of-12 in the quarter. The Grizzlies outshot the Rockets 48.8% to 42.3%. Houston had 19 assists with 20 turnovers. Harden and Jason Terry shot 8-of-17 from 3-point range but rest of team shot 2-of-17.
Houston has scored 100+ points in 21 of the 26 games under interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and is averaging 105.2 ppg (2734 total) over that span after scoring 100+ points four times the first 11 games of the season, averaging 97.3 ppg. The Rockets are 16-9 when scoring 100+ this season (44-12 in 2014-15) and 2-10 when failing to do so (12-14 in 2014-15). Houston is averaging 103.9 ppg this season (103.9 ppg in 2014-15).
The Rockets have won their past two games scoring below 100 points after losing their first 10 games doing so. Houston has scored below 90 points four times this season (1-3 mark) after doing so five times in 2014-15 (2-3 mark). The Rockets scored 100+ points in 10 straight games from 11/27-12/14, which was tied for their longest streak since a 12-game span from 11/26-12/19/95.
Over the Rockets past seven wins, they are outscoring opponents by an average of 11.6 points (81total) after outscoring opponents by an average of 5.1 ppg in the first 11 wins. Houston has won by double-digits three times this season after doing so 31 times in 2014-15.
Houston has won five games this season when trailing by 14+ points (15 vs. OKC on 11/2, 17 vs. POR on 11/18, 15 at NY on 11/2 9, 14 vs. NO on 12/2 and 15 at UTA on 1/4).
The Rockets have held the opposition below 95 points in each of the past two games after giving up 110+ points in each of the four games prior. Houston has held the opposition below 100 points in seven of the past 14 games after doing so twice the first 23 games of the season.
Opponents are averaging 105.5 ppg this season after the Rockets ranked 17th in scoring defense in 2014-15 (100.5 ppg). Houston was 21-22 when opponents scored 100+ points last season (10-12 allowing 110+), compared to a 35-4 mark when holding the opposition below the century mark (31-0 below 97 points). Houston is 8-1 when holding opponents below 100 points this season and 10-18 when failing to do so.
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Selection: Houston
