Final - OT
Harden, Smith lead Rockets over Grizzlies
Dec 27, 2014 - 6:24 AM Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - James Harden had 32 points, including a tying layup late in regulation, and the Houston Rockets scored eight of their 13 points in overtime at the foul line to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-111 on Friday night.Josh Smith had 21 points and eight rebounds in his Rockets debut after being signed earlier in the day and Harden added 10 assists.
"It feels great to play for the Rockets," Smith said. "It's a big opportunity for me. I have newfound brothers in this locker room."
Harden's layup with 15.5 seconds remaining in regulation tied the score and came after Vince Carter had made two go-ahead 3-pointers for the Grizzlies.
Houston took a half-game lead over Memphis in the Southwest Division, handing the Grizzlies their first four-game losing streak in more than a year.
Corey Brewer added 13 points for Houston, Trevor Ariza scored 15 with 10 rebounds and Patrick Beverley had 12 points in the win.
Marc Gasol scored 29 points to lead Memphis and Beno Udrih had 17 off the bench. Zach Randolph (knee) remained out for the Grizzlies while Tony Allen (eye) returned to score 10 points in 26 minutes.
"Good game, exciting game," said Grizzlies coach David Joerger. "(We) didn't execute defensively well enough."
Carter's first go-ahead 3 capped a 13-2 run that turned a 10-point Grizzlies deficit with 4 1/2 minutes left into a one-point lead with 1:33 remaining.
After Smith's layup at the other end gave Houston the lead back, Carter buried a long 3 from several feet behind the line.
But Harden beat Tayshaun Prince on a driving layup to tie the score with 15.5 ticks remaining and Carter lost control of the ball at the other end after stepping on Harden's foot driving through the lane.
A replay review determined the ball went out of bounds off Dwight Howard, giving the Grizzlies the ball with 0.6 seconds left. Gasol got a good look off the inbounds pass, but missed off the rim from behind the foul line.
Houston then scored the first five points in overtime on Howard's foul shots and Ariza's 3 and never trailed.
The Rockets announced earlier Friday that they signed Smith, who was released by the Detroit Pistons on Monday less than two years into a four-year, $54 million contract.
Smith was reunited with Howard, a close friend and former AAU teammate. He checked in for the first time after Howard picked up his second foul just 2:49 into the game and scored four points in the first quarter, including two on a baseline dunk.
But Gasol scored 11 points in the quarter and Memphis led 31-24 going into the second. The spread remained seven at halftime, with the Grizzlies leading 57-50 despite Harden's 14 points for Houston.
Gasol scored 13 points to keep the Grizzlies on top in the third quarter, when Houston shot 63 percent to pull within 81-79 going into the fourth.
Game Notes
The Grizzlies hadn't lost four in a row since a five-game slide from Dec. 11-18, 2013 ... Smith averaged 13.1 points for the Pistons this season ... The Rockets remain on the road to play San Antonio on Sunday ... The Grizzlies play in Miami on Saturday.
- HOUSTON: 117
MEMPHIS: 111
Final - OT
Dec 26 10:47 PM - HOUSTON: 104
MEMPHIS: 104
End of Regulation
Dec 26 10:23 PM - 227
rootsRUWTbot Added 37 roots (Close Finish, Overtime)
Rockets 104, Grizzlies 104 End of Reg.Dec 26 10:23 PM - HOUSTON: 79
MEMPHIS: 81
End of 3rd
Dec 26 9:47 PM - HOUSTON: 50
MEMPHIS: 57
Halftime
Dec 26 9:07 PM - HOUSTON: 24
MEMPHIS: 31
End of 1st
Dec 26 8:37 PM - HOUSTON: 0
MEMPHIS: 0
1st Quarter - 11:40
Dec 26 8:11 PM
Related News
- Knicks Robbed By Late Call on Jalen Brunson Feb 13
- Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers game preview Dec 26
- Alperen Sengun’s career night lifts Rockets over Pelicans 106-104 Dec 24
- LISTEN: Kiss Of Death, Episode 70: Regular Season Game 27 - Rockets defeat Pelicans Dec 23
- Rockets hope to snatch one from Pelicans before Christmas Dec 23
- LISTEN: Kiss Of Death, Episode 69: Regular Season Game 26 - Rockets defeat Mavericks Dec 23
- Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans game preview Dec 23
- Rockets dump shorthanded Mavericks 122-96 Dec 23
- Rockets take on Mavs in Houston Dec 22
- Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks game preview Dec 22
- All-time Rockets stat sheet stocking stuffers Dec 21
- Rockets can’t complete comeback as the Hawks take it 134-127 Dec 20