Rockets come from behind to stun Grizzlies

Houston, Dec 27 (IANS) The Houston Rockets blew over the Memphis Grizzlies in the fourth quarter to an inexplicable 100-92 win in a National Basketball Association (NBA) match here at the Toyota Center.

The Rockets were not looking to win in the first three quarters, trailing as much as 13 points and lagged behind the Grizzlies in both offence and defence during most of the game here Thursday, reports Xinhua.

However, in the last quarter, they found their shooting touch and picked up defence. Led by Jeremy Lin, who scored 14 of his 18 points in the period, the Rockets pounded the Grizzlies ferociously and had a 15-2 run.

Consecutive points and assists by Lin helped the team to overtake Memphis in the last minutes. The Grizzlies scrambled to regain their strength, but to no avail — and had their two-game winning streak snapped.

James Harden went 22 of 25 from the line and scored 27 points for Houston. Dwight Howard, saddled by foul trouble, only had two points and six boards. Chandler Parsons chipped in 15 points.

Zach Randolph, the lone Memphis starter to score in double figures, paired 23 points with 17 rebounds and five assists for Memphis.

With the win, Houston has improved to 20-11 on the season. Memphis is 12-16.