Memphis GrizzliesOpen full analysis
Houston RocketsOpen full analysis
The Houston Rockets dominated Memphis 132–101 at Toyota Center on April 12, showcasing a balanced offensive attack led by Clint Capela's 23 points and Tari Eason's 20 points. Houston shot 45.7 percent from the field while drilling 14 three-pointers, establishing control early and maintaining it throughout; the Grizzlies' 41.1 percent shooting and 13 made threes proved insufficient against the home team's suffocating defense. Memphis never found rhythm, particularly in the second quarter when they managed just 19 points, and finished with a 122.0 defensive rating compared to Houston's 94.9, a 27-point swing that defined the contest. Despite Darius Whitehead's team-high 26 points and R. Rupert adding 21 for Memphis, the Grizzlies' 13 turnovers and 37 total rebounds—27 fewer than Houston's 64—compounded their offensive struggles. Houston's 23 assists and 10 steals underscored their defensive intensity, while the final margin of 31 points fell well short of the 230.5 Vegas total. The Rockets' balanced scoring and defensive execution signal strengthening form heading into the postseason stretch.
