With Alperen Sengun sidelined, Rockets go ice cold late in blowing lead at Memphis

The Rockets wrapped up a four-game road trip with Thursday’s disappointing 120-119 loss (box score) to the Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis. With All-Star center Alperen Sengun (left calf contusion) sidelined, Houston led by eight midway through the fourth quarter but couldn’t generate offense down the stretch, scoring just four points in the final six minutes.

It was a potentially important battle in a race for the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings, though Houston (32-15) does have the tiebreaker over Memphis (32-16) thanks to winning the first three games of their four-game season series. Thursday’s game was the finale.

With the Rockets up by a point and under 10 seconds to play, All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. fouled out Houston’s Dillon Brooks on a drive and hit two go-ahead free throws. Rockets veteran Fred VanVleet then misfired on his attempt at a potential winning 3-pointer.

Key statistical lines included:

• Jalen Green: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)

• Steven Adams: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists in 23 minutes; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%)

• Amen Thompson: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 assists; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 7-of-9 on free throws (77.8%)

• Dillon Brooks: 22 points, 9-of-17 shooting, 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%), 6 fouls

• Tari Eason: 13 points, 12 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%)

• Fred VanVleet: 13 points, 5 assists; 4-of-12 shooting (33.3%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%)

• Desmond Bane (Grizzlies): 24 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists; 11-of-24 shooting (45.8%)

• Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies): 21 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)

• Luke Kennard (Grizzlies): 22 points, 2 steals; 9-of-15 shooting (60.0%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Thursday’s game was disjointed at times, with Sengun and Grizzlies star Ja Morant (shoulder) each sidelined by minor injuries. For Houston, Jabari Smith Jr. (left hand fracture) remains out of the lineup, as well.

“We need to be able to put teams away when we have the lead,” said Green, via Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. “We do a really good job with getting up and then somehow lose the lead. I don’t know if we get comfortable or just out there and they play harder than us.”

Brooks pointed to excessive turnovers. While Houston only had 12 for the game (compared to 11 for Memphis), some of those came in key moments, including one by VanVleet with the Rockets holding a slim lead and just over a minute left to play.

The Rockets had their four-game winning streak snapped with the loss, which finished their road trip at 3-1.

Jan. 30 Rockets-Grizzlies Complete Highlights

Jan. 30 Postgame Reaction and Interviews

What’s Next

The Rockets return home for what should be a favorable matchup on Saturday night versus the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets (15-33). Tipoff at Houston’s Toyota Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.

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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: In blowing lead at Memphis, Alperen Sengun-less Rockets go cold late