Christian Wood continued his run of phenomenal play in March with 28 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday, and it led the way in Houston’s shocking 128-113 win (box score) over visiting Memphis.
Facing a tough opponent in Steven Adams, Wood hit 8-of-12 shots overall (66.7%) and shot 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%). He also blocked two shots and made 8-of-11 free throws (72.7%), which had been a liability for the big man throughout much of the 2021-22 season. Those eight makes included going 2-for-2 in the final minute to ice the game.
In four games this month, Wood is now averaging 22.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 35.5 minutes per game. He is shooting 62.5% overall (at an average of 12.0 attempts per game), 50.0% on 3-pointers (5.0 attempts per game), and 72.4% on free throws.
All-Star guard and MVP candidate Ja Morant had 22 points and 6 assists for the Grizzlies, but he shot just 7-of-20 from the field (35.0%) and was generally outplayed by Houston’s young backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Porter, now in his third season, scored a game-high 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting (52.4%), with 19 coming in the third quarter as Houston erased a 10-point halftime deficit.
Meanwhile, Green scored 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%) while grabbing 8 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. Two of Green’s makes were on extremely contested shots in the closing minutes as Houston put the game away in front of a joyous crowd at Toyota Center.
The Grizzlies (44-22) still own the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Rockets (16-48) remain in last. But at least for one night, and with three of their prime building blocks leading the way, Houston left its fans with legitimate hopes for the future.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.
#Rockets tonight:
Jalen Green:
24 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 8/17 FG
Kevin Porter Jr:
29 PTS | 5 AST | 11/21 FG | 4/11 3FG
Christian Wood:
28 PTS | 13 REB | 2 BLK | 8/12 FG
Huge games from all three tonight in the W against the (formerly) No. 2 seed Grizzlies.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 7, 2022
