Harden and Gordon combine for 64 points in Rockets win over Grizzlies

Posted: November 11, 2017 -- 10:21 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets played a complete ball game Saturday night and defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 111-96 in front of a sold out crowd. James Harden scored a game-high 38 points; and, Eric Gordon added 26 points.

With the win tonight, the Rockets now trail the season series against the Grizzlies 2-1 with one game remaining in Memphis next Saturday, November 18.

"The first game that we played them we had 67 points in the first half; and, we just ran out of steam," Mike D'Antoni, Rockets head coach said after the game. "I think we're in a better rhythm and that's kind of our game."

The Rockets had a season-high tying 14 steals while forcing 20 turnovers. Houston had a total of 9 steals while forcing 21 turnovers in the first two games against Memphis this season.

The Rockets (10-3) were very active on defense in the first quarter with 3 steals and solid defense on Memphis big Man Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley. Gasol made just 2 of his 6 field goal attempts while Conley missed all three of his field goal tries in the opening period.

Harden scored 10 of the Rockets 33 first quarter points. Houston led the Grizzlies (7-5) by eleven (33-22) at the end of the first period.

Early in the second quarter, the Rockets led by 12 (36-24) when former Rockets player, Chandler Parsons, contributed to 12-7 Grizzlies' burst to reduce the Rockets' lead to seven (43-36) with 7:39 on the clock.

Harden (5 points) and Gordon (3 points) combined for 8 consecutive points for a 15 point lead; but, once again, the Grizzlies responded with a run. The Grizzlies went on a 12-2 run to slice the Rockets' lead to five (53-48); however, Harden scored 7 points in a 9-0 run to boost the lead back to 14 (62-48) with 24.5 seconds remaining til halftime.

The Rockets led 62-50 at the halftime break.

The Grizzlies pulled within 8 points (64-56) with 9:04 remaining in the third period; but, the Rockets outscored the Grizzlies 29-14 the rest of the quarter to lead 93-70 after three quarters.

Harden scored 13 in the third quarter to lead the way.

The Rockets' largest margin in the fourth quarter was 25 points. Memphis did not get closer than 15 points until 2:37 remained in the ball game.

Over the past five games, James Harden is averaging 37.8 points per game on 50.5% field goal shooting (48.4% from three). Harden made 6 three-point shots tonight to extend his NBA record of consecutive games with 6 plus three-point field goals made to five games.

Eric Gordon has scored 20 plus points in four straight games for the second time this season. He has scored 20 plus points in 10 of his 12 games played this season. Dating back to last season, Houston is 25-4 when Gordon scores 20 or more points.

The Rockets next game is Sunday night, at Indiana, versus the Pacers. Tip is set for 5 p.m. Central time.

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