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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Reaction: ‘Dunkstronaut’ Jalen Green erupts in second half as Rockets blast Grizzlies

Jalen Green Rockets Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr Jabari Smith Jr Alperen Sengun Fred VanVleet Itamar Itamar1710 Jackson Gatlin Lachard Binkley

HOUSTON — In the opener of a brief two-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets enjoyed a second-half explosion in Wednesday’s 111-91 blowout (box score) over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Jalen Green scored 26 of his season-high 34 points in the second half, and the Rockets scored 66 in that half while limiting Memphis to only 45. Green shot 13-of-26 from the field (50.0%) over his 30 minutes on the night, and he was also tied for a team-high 4 assists.

Green’s exploits included an emphatic dunk over Jaren Jackson Jr., a perennial NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate, in the closing seconds of the third quarter.

Besides Green, other standout players for the Rockets (7-6) —  who are now 7-1 at home this season — included:

  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 18 points, 9 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 13 points, 5 rebounds; 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%), 0-of-5 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers

Jackson led the Grizzlies with 23 points and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes, though Houston limited him to just 7-of-21 shooting (33.3%) from the field and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Memphis remains without superstar guard Ja Morant due to a 25-game league suspension.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews following Wednesday night’s game versus the Grizzlies, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Friday’s homestand finale versus Denver, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Central. That game will also count toward the NBA’s 2023-24 in-season tournament.

Nov. 22 Rockets-Grizzlies reaction

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