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Rockets stumble as Grizzlies snatch victory in controversial finish

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Grizzlies defeat the Rockets, 120-119. Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images.

Desmond Bane had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Jaren Jackson Jr. made the go-ahead free throws with 8.6 seconds left and scored 21, and the Memphis Grizzlies rallied past the Houston Rockets 120-119 on Thursday night.

Luke Kennard added 21 points and Santi Aldama had 15 for Memphis, which has won six of seven.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 25 points. Dillon Brooks had 22 points and Amen Thompson finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Houston's four-game winning streak ended.

Memphis (32-16) moved within one-half game of Houston for second in the Western Conference.

Both teams were without key players. Houston's Alperen Sengun, who was announced as a Western Conference All-Star reserve earlier Thursday, was out with a left calf contusion, and Memphis guard Ja Morant sat out with right shoulder soreness.

Takeaways

Rockets: Houston built an 11-point first-half lead on the strength of its 3-point shooting, but couldn't hold off Memphis down the stretch.

Grizzlies: Memphis finally got past Houston after losing the teams' previous three meetings this season.

Key moment

WIth 13 seconds left, the Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells was driving for a go-ahead, fast-break layup when official Marat Kogut called timeout. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins was livid, saying he never called timeout, and it appeared he was motioning for Wells to drive to the basket rather than signaling to stop the clock. However, Jackson drove into the paint and was fouled after the timeout, setting up the go-ahead free throws.

Key stat

The Rockets grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, leading to 30 points.

Up next

The Rockets host Brooklyn on Saturday. The Grizzlies play at Milwaukee on Sunday.

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A lot to unpack here. Composite Getty Image.

As the Astros gear up for the season, several key questions loom over the team, from depth concerns at first base to emerging leadership roles and long-term positional shifts.

Can the Astros withstand a Christian Walker injury?

Houston made a big bet on soon-to-be 34-year-old Christian Walker as its everyday first baseman, but what happens if he misses time with his oblique injury? Jon Singleton, the primary backup, is in excellent shape but has struggled this spring, hitting just .118. Here's something to keep an eye on. Walker's injury could also create a platoon situation between Singleton and Victor Caratini. Either way, the Astros' depth at the position could be tested early, raising concerns about whether their strategy of signing aging stars could backfire again.

Hunter Brown taking on leadership role

Pitcher Hunter Brown is stepping into a leadership position this season, according to both Spencer Arrighetti and manager Joe Espada. With veterans like Justin Verlander no longer in the clubhouse, Brown's rise as a vocal presence signals a changing of the guard within the Astros’ rotation. Which could be an even bigger factor when Framber Valdez likely exits after the season with free agency looming. Plus, Arrighetti is working on a new secret pitch. Could it be a splitter?

Peña gets the green light to run

Jeremy Peña’s elite sprint speed (98th percentile) has long made him a stolen base threat, but he didn’t have the green light last year. That could be changing in 2025, as Espada appears to be giving Peña the freedom to run. The shortstop has set an ambitious goal of 50 stolen bases—and has a bet in place with first base coach Dave Clark based on that number. Espada, however, predicts a more conservative 30 steals.

Cam Smith’s position switch?

Cam Smith has been a standout at camp, earning praise from GM Dana Brown as the most exciting player to watch. However, with just five games of Double-A experience, counting on him at the big-league level seems premature. Adding to the intrigue, first base coach Dave Clark revealed that Smith has begun working in the outfield. This development, paired with the Astros’ reported interest in Nolan Arenado, suggests the team may view Smith as an outfielder long-term. Should Arenado have waived his no-trade clause, his contract would have blocked Smith at third base for at least three years, making a position switch logical for the young prospect.

Jake Meyers’ defense vs. offensives struggles

Jake Meyers’ bat remains a question mark, but his defense—particularly his range on balls to his glove side in the left-center gap—could be a crucial asset with Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez manning left field. Meyers has been named the starter in center field, so he's not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. It's no secret that center field is massive at Daikin Park, and the Astros have valued defense in that spot in recent years, going back to when Myles Straw roamed the outfield.

We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we cover the topics above and much, much more!

The countdown to Opening Day is on. Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!


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