Dillon Brooks: Rockets ‘Crumbled’ vs. Grizzlies, ‘We Should Have Blew Them Out’ | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

It’s safe to say Dillon Brooks was not happy with the Houston Rockets’ performance in a 120-119 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.

Brooks told reporters after the game the Rockets “crumbled” in blowing an eight-point lead in the final five minutes against the Grizzlies.

“We should have blew them out,” Brooks said. “We just fell into their game and we just crumble every time. We just got to get stops, stop turning over the ball.”

The Rockets led this game by as many as 11 points in the first half. They did take the lead early in the fourth quarter, but Houston stormed back to go ahead 115-107 with 6:18 remaining.

Houston’s offense went scoreless for the next four minutes until Tari Eason’s layup with 2:21 left to play. The Grizzlies went on a 7-0 run in between to get within one point.

It looked like the Rockets were going to hold on when Jalen Green made two of three free throws to make the score 119-114 with 1:54 remaining. Two quick buckets by the Grizzlies got them within one point.

Brooks fouled Jaren Jackson Jr. with eight seconds left that allowed the Grizzlies forward to make two free throws to put his team ahead 120-119. Fred VanVleet did get a look from three for the win, but his attempt missed to end Houston’s four-game winning streak.

The Grizzlies were able to win without Ja Morant, who sat out due to a shoulder injury. Their 120 points tied the fifth-most the Rockets have allowed in a game this season.

There’s no shame in losing to a Memphis team that has the third-best record in the Western Conference (32-16). The Rockets (32-15) did miss an opportunity to put a little breathing room between themselves and the Grizzlies for the No. 2 seed.