Marc Gasol sank a jump shot with 0.01 seconds left as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets 102-100 in a Southwest Division showdown Wednesday.
“The play was designed for the other side, the strong side of the court, but the pass lead me to the right side,” Gasol said. “I caught it and tried to drive and created a little space with my body and was fortunate to make the shot.”
The Grizzlies led by seven points (98-91) with three minutes left but they let the Rockets back in it. Houston scored seven consecutive points to tie the game 98-98 as Terrence Jones and James Harden hit jump shots and Corey Brewer drained a three pointer in the fourth quarter surge.
Memphis guard Courtney Lee then hit two free throws to get the lead back but Jones answered with a hook shot. Gasol then missed on the other end.
The Grizzlies got the ball back after Zach Randolph blocked Harden’s layup. Gasol followed with his game-winning shot to give Memphis a 2 1/2-game lead over the Rockets in the Southwest Division standings.
Memphis is finding their game again after losing three of their past four heading into Wednesday’s contest at the Toyota Center arena.
The Grizzlies are 20-10 on the road as they play four of the next five games away from home.
Harden tallied 18 points and 13 assists in his return to the Rockets lineup after being suspended one game for kicking LeBron James in the groin during Saturday’s overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Gasol finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Grizzlies. Mike Conley had 17 points and six assists and Randolph contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.
Jones tallied 21 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets, who had a five-game home winning streak snapped. – Agence France-Presse
