Amen Thompson and the Rockets in control in Memphis

The rockets have found their cruise speed. After two inaugural losses, the Texans recorded their fifth win in a row with an easy victory on the floor of the Grizzlies (109-124). A meeting during which they almost did not fall behind in the result.

And during which Kevin Durant did not have to show a high level of skill (11 points at 5/18) while Amen Thompson dominated the debates (28 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists). And took responsibility like never before (26 attempts, a career high).

Thanks to his outstanding athletic qualities, the winger, who came in to support Alperen Sengun in quiet power mode (20 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists), spent the evening taking over the opposition’s interior defense. Interior dominance now the norm for the Texans who outscored the Grizzlies by 20 points in the paint (60 to 40).

At the break, the lag of the locals remained acceptable (51-60), until this serious air gap suffered in the middle of the third quarter. Abandoned by the Memphis defense, Josh Okogie took the opportunity to convert three consecutive 3-point baskets and offer the largest deficit of the match in favor of Houston (63-84).

After this reinforcement, the guests no longer had to worry, especially since their opponents, despite the good finish of Cam Spencer, the best scorer of his team (19 points), shot with less than 40% success on shots. And they look seriously stuck the situation around Ja Morant.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– I Morant cash register. A short and straight 3-point shot, a risky pass turned into a counterattack in favor of the Rockets and not much effort to pull away from his side… Thus began another very average night I Morant. What followed was not very encouraging. The leader certainly finished as the best scorer among the starters (Jaren Jackson Jr. with only 9 points on 2/6…) with 17 points, as well as 8 assists. But with too random a skill level (6/19 shots including 1/7 from distance and 6 turnovers). And always the nonchalance that calls into question his future in Memphis.

– A team on the rise in the West. Behind the almost untouchable Thunder with their 8 straight wins to start, Houston is climbing the ranks in the West thanks to their continued winning streak. Wins that come with an average margin of 19 units, proof of the dominance displayed on their part. And this evening, all elements of the five crossed the 10-point mark, in addition to two players from the bench with the rotation still limited to 8 players. And the return battle was again won for the best team of the league in this region, because of its centimeters. On Friday, Houston travels to San Antonio for a shocking derby.

– The team falls. With four losses in a row and a negative record (3v-6d), Memphis is getting closer to the bottom of the Western standings. On Friday, the Grizzlies welcome the Mavs due to the “shock” of negative results, before continuing with a difficult schedule: hosting the Thunder, then a very complicated “travel” (Knicks, Celtics, Cavs and Spurs).

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.