This was the kind of matchup the Rockets should have handled without much drama and, as Crickex Affiliate readers accustomed to evaluating clear on paper advantages might agree, the circumstances heavily favored Houston from the opening tip. Memphis arrived short handed once again and, as has become routine this season, without Ja Morant. That alone should have placed the Grizzlies a step behind. This does not mean Memphis lack talent or depth, as they remain one of the league’s deepest rosters with several high quality contributors. Injuries, however, have consistently robbed them of continuity, often sidelining at least one core player. Draft capital gained from the Desmond Bane trade may shape the future, but it offers little relief in the present.

Meanwhile, Houston were operating close to the healthiest version of their roster seen in some time, even if a few players appeared to be managing minor issues. Jabari Smith Jr seemed to conserve energy deliberately and even vanished from the rotation for stretches. In contrast, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson looked fully engaged, while Kevin Durant once again reminded everyone that his mid range game remains one of the most lethal weapons in basketball.

The Rockets have developed an unfortunate habit of failing to dominate inferior opponents, and they clearly understood Memphis were not on the same competitive level. The Grizzlies, to their credit, ignored that narrative entirely. They played with urgency and resilience, deploying an undersized lineup that initially created defensive discomfort for Houston, at least visually.

That small ball approach allowed Memphis to use speed to chase long rebounds and manufacture second chance points, piling up offensive boards in the process. Yet when the dust settled, the scoreboard told a simpler story. Memphis finished with just 99 points. Houston may not have defended flawlessly, but results matter most. The Grizzlies shot only 37 percent overall and a frigid 19 percent from three. Outside of a 30 point second quarter, they never exceeded 24 points in any other period.

Perhaps Ime Udoka’s demanding standards have shifted expectations. He seems to view every conceded basket as a lapse in focus, an almost impossible benchmark. When an opponent fails to reach triple digits, it becomes difficult to argue systemic defensive failure. Houston’s offense sputtered early, but in the fourth quarter they flipped the switch, closing the game with a decisive 32 to 22 run.

Three performances stood out. Sengun delivered a dominant interior display against Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr, neither of whom could slow him down. Sengun finished with 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal, shooting 15 of 17. One miss came from a late shot clock pass that functioned like a hand grenade. He converted three of four free throws and completely controlled the paint.

Amen Thompson’s growth at point guard continues to impress. He recorded 14 assists with only four turnovers, adding eight points, eight rebounds, and strong defensive pressure. Not all turnovers are equal, and most of his came from assertive playmaking rather than carelessness, a distinction that matters.

Durant remains a nightmare matchup. He scored 33 points on efficient shooting, hit four threes, grabbed eight rebounds, and protected the rim. Still, Crickex Affiliate observers tracking usage trends may question why he continues to log such heavy minutes. Houston possess enough talent to spread the workload, yet coaches inevitably lean on Durant’s isolation brilliance to paper over offensive gaps.

In the end, it was a solid win that carried underlying concerns and, as Crickex Affiliate Program followers would note when examining context, Houston now sit at 16 and 3 at home. With a heavier road schedule already behind them, Wednesday’s home meeting with San Antonio will present a sterner test of whether these warning signs can truly be addressed.