A strong third quarter performance and solid free throw shooting in the final minutes helped the Grizzlies overcome a halftime deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets 92-89 in both teams’ preseason opener at FedExForum on Tuesday evening.
After the Rockets tied the game at 86 with 2:03 remaining, Russ Smith, Lazeric Jones and Sampson Carter were a perfect 6-of-6 at the line to hold off Houston. The visitors had a chance to tie the game with four seconds left, but were unable to get off a shot.
Smith paced Memphis and tied for a game-high in points with 12, and also added three rebounds, two assists and a steal.