Houston Rockets (52-30) beat Memphis Grizzlies (25-57) 132-101 at home on Sunday, April 12. The final margin was 31 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Rockets struck first, taking the opening quarter 32-26 and a 6-point lead after one. The Rockets kept the pressure on with a 34-19 second quarter, carrying a 21-point lead into halftime.
The Rockets won the third 34-26 to create some separation, taking a 29-point lead into the fourth. The Rockets took the fourth 32-30; the Rockets finished the job for a 132-101 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Rockets grabbed 40.4% of their own misses, while the Grizzlies recovered 12.2%. The Rockets made 21 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 10.5 for the Grizzlies. The second chances kept adding up.
At roughly 107 possessions per team, the Rockets produced 123 points per 100 possessions to 94.1 for the Grizzlies.
The Rockets' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 65-22.
Who stood out
Clint Capela was the game's biggest individual force for HOU: 23 pts, 13 reb, 1 ast, 3 blk on 9-11 shooting. His Game Score of 27 led everyone. His team was +24 with him on the floor.
Dariq Whitehead led the Grizzlies with 26 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast on 11-21 shooting, good for a 16.8 Game Score.
Clint Capela (23 pts, 13 reb, 1 ast), Rayan Rupert (21 pts, 12 reb, 5 ast), and Jahmai Mashack (11 pts, 1 reb, 11 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Rockets about a 92% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Houston Rockets lead 6-1.
The Rockets are now 52-30, and the Grizzlies are 25-57. The Rockets last five before this game: W-W-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.