Rockets 132, Grizzlies 101: Houston finishes strong

The Houston Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 132-101 on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Toyota Center, with Clint Capela leading the way with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Houston controlled the game early, built separation by halftime, and never let Memphis seriously threaten in the second half.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Houston opened with a strong offensive rhythm and took a 32-26 lead after one quarter. The Rockets were active on the glass from the start, creating extra possessions and setting the tone for the rest of the night. Memphis stayed close early behind steady scoring, but Houston’s efficiency around the basket stood out.

Second Quarter

The Rockets created real distance in the second, outscoring the Grizzlies 34-19 to take a 66-45 lead into halftime. Houston’s second unit kept the pace up, and the home team continued to win the possession battle. Memphis had trouble stringing together stops, while the Rockets moved the ball well enough to keep quality looks coming.

Third Quarter

Any chance of a Memphis push was limited in the third quarter as Houston matched its second-quarter output with another 34 points. The Grizzlies scored 26 in the period, but the Rockets answered consistently and carried a 100-71 advantage into the fourth. Capela’s presence inside remained a major factor on both ends.

Fourth Quarter

Memphis posted its best scoring quarter with 30 points in the fourth, but the outcome was already well in hand. Houston added 32 more to maintain control and close out the 31-point win. The Rockets finished all four quarters at 32 points or better, a sign of how steady their offense was across the full game.

Key Performers

Houston Rockets
Clint Capela delivered the standout line for Houston with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks while leading the Rockets in both scoring and rebounding. JD Davison added a team-high 7 assists as Houston finished with 23 assists overall. The Rockets also got major team-wide support on the glass, ending the night with 64 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies
Dariq Whitehead led all Memphis scorers with 26 points. Rayan Rupert added 21 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, while Jahmai Mashack handed out 11 assists. Even with those individual contributions, the Grizzlies could not overcome Houston’s advantage in second-chance opportunities and interior production.

NerdSports Stat: Houston scored 132 points despite shooting just 28.6% from three, thanks in large part to a 64-37 rebounding advantage and 10 more made field goals than Memphis.

Game Analysis

This game was decided by volume, control of the glass, and Houston’s ability to maintain offensive pressure throughout the night. The Rockets shot 45.7% from the field compared with Memphis at 41.1%, but the bigger difference came from possessions. Houston attempted 105 shots to Memphis’ 95 and turned its rebounding edge into sustained control.

The Rockets also generated balanced offense even without a huge three-point shooting night. Both teams attempted 49 threes, but neither shot especially well from distance. Houston made up for that by consistently getting into scoring areas inside the arc and drawing 30 free-throw attempts. Memphis was perfect at the line, going 10-for-10, but simply did not get there often enough.

Defensively, Houston did enough to keep the Grizzlies from turning assists into a more efficient scoring night. Memphis recorded 23 assists, the same total as Houston, but shot just 41.1% overall and never recovered from the 21-point halftime deficit. Once the Rockets established that cushion, the game became more about maintaining structure than chasing momentum.

Closing Context

With the win, Houston closed the regular season at 52-30 and 30-11 at home, a strong finish that reinforces its place in the Western Conference picture entering the postseason. Memphis ended the season 25-57 and 11-30 on the road. For the Rockets, this was the kind of complete performance that provides useful momentum going into the next stage of the NBA calendar.

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