The Sports Xchange
Oct 28, 2017
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Forward Chandler Parsons scored 24 points as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets 103-89 Saturday night at FedExForum.
For Parsons, who signed as a free agent in Memphis before the 2016-17 season, it was his highest point total in a Grizzlies uniform. He never scored more than 14 points last season, when he was plagued with knee issues and his season ended early for knee surgery.
Parsons went 9-of-11 from the floor against Houston and was 6-for-8 from 3-point range.
Forward Ryan Anderson led Houston with 22 points, seven rebounds and two blocks and guard James Harden had 20 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Memphis (5-1) also beat the Rockets (5-2) in Houston 98-90 on Monday.
The Grizzlies carried an 81-72 lead into the fourth quarter, fueled by 14 points from Parsons as he hit all four treys he attempted in the third quarter. Memphis pulled away in the fourth quarter, leading by as many as 19 points.
Bench scoring was lopsided as Memphis got 67 points from its reserves, including 15 from Mario Chalmers and 14 from Tyreke Evans. The Rockets only had 25 points from their bench, led by guard Bobby Brown with 11 points. Starting center Clint Capela finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Rockets shot 37.7 percent from the floor and went 14-for-38 from 3-point range. Memphis shot 47.1 percent from the field while going 14-for-33 from distance for 42.4 percent.
Point guard Mike Conley (eight points, three assists) and center Marc Gasol (six points, six rebounds and five assists) usually lead the Grizzlies in scoring but went a combined 5-for-18 from the floor.
Memphis led 55-49 at halftime. Anderson paced the first-half scoring with 15 points, Harden had 14 points, and Parsons 10 points.
NOTES: Rockets G Eric Gordon, who is averaging 24.8 points, did not play Saturday because of a stomach virus. ... After missing two games with a midfoot sprain, Houston F Trevor Ariza played almost 36 minutes Saturday and scored 10 points with seven rebounds and five assists. .... Memphis has the NBA's best field-goal percentage defense at home (42.6 percent) since the start of the 2016-17 season. ... Houston F Nene returned to action after missing two games because of left Achilles soreness and finished with four points. ... Grizzlies C Marc Gasol has as many games of 25-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in the first six games of this season as he had in the previous two seasons combined (126 games total).