Memphis, TN – Zach Randolph totaled 21 points with 12 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies ended a two-game skid by knocking off the Houston Rockets, 103-94, on Friday at FedExForum.
Marc Gasol, who continues to battle an abdominal tear, also poured in 21 points and Mike Conley had 15 with 10 assists to help the Grizzlies take a fifth straight home win over the Rockets.
"Everybody was helping each other, talking communicating," said Gasol. "Offensively, I think we did a good job."
Tayshaun Prince donated 10 points and eight rebounds in the victory.
The Rockets, losers of two straight since a three-game winning streak, received just 21 points combined between James Harden, Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik. Chandler Parsons and Donatas Motiejunas each scored 16 in defeat.
"We made more mistakes defensively tonight than we have been," said Rockets coach Kevin McHale.
Houston's early 3-point shooting helped keep the contest close, but Memphis never trailed in the contest and began to create separation in the final minutes of the second quarter.
With just over five minutes left, Carlos Delfino knocked down Houston's seventh 3-pointer and shortly after, Lin's bank shot made it 48-47.
However, the Grizzlies responded with a 10-2 push, with Conley and Jerryd Bayless each nailing triples to cap the run and create a 58-49 margin. A three-point play from Gasol with 16 seconds left sent Memphis into the break ahead, 61-53.
Memphis extended its advantage to 17 points just over eight minutes into the third following the completion of an 11-3 run. Conley got it started with a three-point play and Ed Davis' short jumper created an 80-63 margin.
The Rockets struggled from long distance in the second half, shooting just 2-for-11 and 37.8 percent overall from the field. Delfino's layup reduced Houston's deficit to nine with over nine minutes left, but Conley didn't let them come any closer, adding another three-point play.
Memphis' double-digit lead held from there until only nine seconds remained.
Game Notes
Despite the setback, Houston has won 11 of the last 16 meetings, with all the losses coming in Memphis ... The Grizzlies shot 50.6 percent from the field and scored 22 points off Houston's 14 turnovers ... Bayless scored 14 off the bench for Memphis.
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