Jabari Smith Jr. continues surge as Grizzlies blast Rockets with 151 points

Two nights earlier in the same FedExForum arena, the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets took the vaunted Memphis Grizzlies down to the wire in a closer-than-expected loss, 130-125. Friday’s rematch, however, turned out to be a much different story.

Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. (20 points, 8 rebounds) continued the strongest month of his career by making 9-of-16 shots (56.3%), including 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%). But that wasn’t anywhere close to enough in a 151-114 loss (box score). Off the bench, fellow rookie Tari Eason chipped in with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%), tying his career scoring high.

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The Grizzlies sliced open Houston’s defense, repeatedly, shooting an astonishing 25-of-42 on 3-pointers (59.5%). Luke Kennard scored 30 points off the bench on 10-of-11 shooting from 3-point range (90.9%), while Desmond Bane added 25 points with five 3-pointers. Ja Morant had 18 points and 8 assists in just 19 minutes off the bench in his second game since returning from suspension.

For Kennard, it was the most 3-pointers made in a single game of his career, and it was the most by any player in Grizzlies history. Memphis’ 151 points was tied for the most allowed in Rockets history.

Kevin Porter Jr. added 20 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds for Houston on 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%). Jalen Green added 13 points and 5 assists on 6-of-14 shooting (42.9%). Houston’s backcourt duo combined to make only 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%), representing an unusually low volume total, and that wasn’t nearly enough to keep up on a night where the Grizzlies were red hot throughout.

With the win, Memphis (46-27) retains its spot at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings. Houston (18-56) remains in last place and has lost four straight since its recent three-game winning streak.

Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews, and reaction by Houston’s fans and media members. Next up is a tough back-to-back on Sunday and Monday in Cleveland and New York, respectively, with tipoff of the opener versus the Cavaliers at 5:00 p.m. Central.