The Houston Rockets (25-12) cemented their position in the second seed after fending off the Memphis Grizzlies (24-14) with a 119-115 victory on January 10.
Houston Rockets Top Performers:
Alperen Sengun 32 PTS | 14 REB | 5 AST | 56.3 FPS
Sengun has bounced back in a huge way, averaging 29.0 points and 12.0 rebounds after a couple of subpar performances where he tallied 14 points and 6 rebounds twice in his last three games.
Jalen Green 27 PTS | 3 AST | 3 STL | 42.9 FPS
Green has been lighting it up over the past four games, averaging 29.0 points and making at least five three-pointers in each contest. This is a promising sign amid his otherwise up-and-down season.
Fred VanVleet 22 PTS | 4 AST | 4 STL | 38.2 FPS
VanVleet has been on a rollercoaster ride lately, but his offense is starting to heat up again. His rebounding has taken a hit, but he’s maintained his assist numbers and his knack for piling up steals.
Amen Thompson 10 PTS | 7 REB | 5 AST | 31.9 FPS
Thompson couldn’t extend his dominant two-game stretch where he tallied 20+ points and 15+ rebounds, but his all-around game is often solid.
Cam Whitmore 9 PTS | 2 REB | 3 STL | 19.4 FPS
Whitmore has been limited to under 20 minutes in three straight games, but his offensive potential and ability to generate steals remain evident.
Memphis Grizzlies Top Performers:
Jaren Jackson Jr. 21 PTS | 8 REB | 6 BLK | 57.6 FPS
JJJ’s offense has been consistently strong, with only one game in his last nine where he failed to score 21+ points. He’s also been incredibly well-rounded, putting up good numbers in at least seven categories in each of his last eight games.
Ja Morant 27 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST | 34.1 FPS
Morant’s availability remains a concern as he’s yet to play more than five games in a row this season, but his scoring prowess is undeniable.
Desmond Bane 16 PTS | 4 AST | 2 STL | 28.8 FPS
Bane’s high usage has been accompanied by increased turnovers and struggles from three, but he remains a good contributor in other areas.
Santi Aldama 12 PTS | 9 REB | 1 STL | 23.8 FPS
Aldama returned from a six-game absence and delivered his typical production.
Brandon Clarke 8 PTS | 4 REB | 2 STL | 20.3 FPS
Clarke has been putting up rebounds and stocks in recent games.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Dillon Brooks 5 PTS | 2-15 FG | 1-8 3PT
Brooks’ numbers have taken a nosedive, scoring 11 or fewer in four of his last six games, along with lackluster defensive stats.
