Şengün's offensive clinic and Durant's clutch scoring overcame Memphis' relentless pace, securing a hard-fought Rockets victory.
Monday night’s win over the Grizzlies was effective, if not entirely reassuring. Houston shot unevenly, turned the ball over early, and spent most of the night trying to adjust to Memphis’ pace. None of it mattered in the end.
Behind a masterclass from Alperen Şengün and a late scoring surge from Kevin Durant, the Rockets wore the Grizzlies down and pulled away for a 108–99 win at Toyota Center.
Şengün stole the show.
From the opening minutes, Memphis had no answer for him. He opened the night a perfect 4-for-4 in the first five minutes, punishing switches and seals while the Grizzlies focused on doubling and scrambling behind him.
By the time the fourth quarter arrived, he was dictating everything- pace, spacing, confidence. Şengün finished with 33 points on an absurd 15-for-17 shooting, added nine rebounds and six assists, and looked fully in control even while navigating foul trouble.
Houston’s start was sharp with Tari Eason knocking down catch-and-release threes to open the scoring, and the Rockets jumped out to an early lead while Memphis struggled to find rhythm, but the Grizzlies didn’t go quietly.
Memphis’ pace flipped the game in the second quarter. Houston grew uncomfortable, the bench production tilted heavily toward Memphis, and the Grizzlies’ energy turned offensive rebounds and transition pressure into a halftime lead.
By the break, Memphis had controlled tempo, dominated second-chance opportunities, and built momentum despite shooting just 37-percent.
Kevin Durant took over in the third without forcing it. He poured in 12 points in the frame, steadying possessions and slowing the game down just enough for the Rockets to catch their breath. As the Rockets dragged the pace into half-court basketball, Memphis’ offense stalled. What had been frantic became uncomfortable- for the Grizzlies this time.
Grizzlies still led by one going into the final frame. Şengün went right back to work with a fast-break dunk off an Okogie-forced turnover. Amen Thompson fed him, cut around him, and controlled the game alongside him- finishing with 14 assists and turning the Sengün-Thompson two-man game into Houston’s engine.
Durant put the nail in the coffin with back-to-back threes late that put the game out of reach and capped his third straight 30-point performance. He finished with 33 of his own, matching Şengün point for point.
Houston’s halftime lock-in adjustment is starting to feel like a habit, and not necessarily a good one. Even so, they held Memphis to 37-percent shooting all night, took care of the ball late, and leaned on their stars when the game demanded clarity. Not perfect. Just effective.