Rockets Open Five-Game Road Trip In Loss To Grizzlies

The Houston Rockets opened their five-game road trip with a 130-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

MEMPHIS — Coach Stephen Silas wanted to see the Houston Rockets sustain the momentum that helped the team finish their six-game homestand with a 3-3 record. 

The Rockets lived up to Silas' desires but dropped their second consecutive game in a 130-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies inside the FedEx Forum Wednesday night.

K.J. Martin scored a career-best 31 points on 12-for-18 shooting, six rebounds and a block. Jalen Green recorded a team-best 32 points (10-18 FG, 3-6 3PT) in the loss. 

The Rockets jumped out to a great start to open their five-game road trip behind Green's play. He connected on five of his first six attempts and finished the first quarter with 11 points.

Houston entered the second period trailing the Grizzlies 37-34. But the spark Ja Morant gave Memphis in his return helped the Grizzlies outscore Houston 38-30 during the quarter.

Morant returned to the lineup following an eight-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the NBA. He finished with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds off the bench.

The Grizzlies led 75-64 at the half. But Houston cut their 11-point deficit down during the third quarter. The Rockets opened the period on a 10-2 run. And by the 6:53 mark of the third, Green's triple tied the game at 85.

Memphis held a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter (101-96), but the Rockets maintained the improvements made to their fourth-quarter execution. 

Martin's triple with 4 minutes and 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave Houston a 112-111 lead. But the Grizzlies outscored the Rockets 19-13 to end the game.

In addition to Green, all of Houston's starters scored in double figures. Alperen Sengun added 25 points, eight rebounds and a pair of steals before fouling out. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 16.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies in scoring with 37 points and 10 rebounds. Tyus Jones added 14 points.

Kevin Porter Jr. records second-career triple-double:

Kevin Porter Jr. had one of his best performances of the season. He recorded his second career triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Rockets down 3-0 to the Grizzlies:

With the loss, the Rockets are trailing the Grizzlies 3-0 in their four-game regular-season series. The Rockets must win Friday's contest to avoid a series sweep.

Up Next:

The Rockets will continue their five-game road trip Friday night against the Grizzlies and then to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Sunday.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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