Grizzlies Grind Past Rockets 101-90, Punch Ticket to Summer League Final
The Memphis Grizzlies are heading to the Summer League Final after a gritty 101-90 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. It was not a pretty game, but it was effective. Zach Edey watched from his courtside seat as his teammates struggled from the floor yet dominated the offensive glass and disrupted Houston's sets all afternoon.
The Grizzlies showed and recovered quickly, pressured the ball up court, and attacked the boards with intensity. The Rockets looked like a rec-league team in the first quarter, managing just three field goals on 15.8 percent shooting. But Houston clawed back, pulling within striking distance by the end of the third quarter and raining seven 3-pointers in the fourth. Memphis held on despite its own sloppiness, getting to the free-throw line to compensate for shooting woes.
Cedric Coward: The Catalyst
Cedric Coward was everywhere. He pressured the ball, disrupted passing lanes as a help defender, and led the Grizzlies with 28 points, including four 3-pointers. He was one of only three players who did not struggle against Houston's coverages. His best stretch came in the third quarter, when he hit two treys and a driving layup on consecutive possessions.
Coward's athleticism makes him a constant threat, and he plays unselfishly. He dished five assists against just one turnover, and that turnover came only because he tried to save a teammate's errant pass near the ceiling. He earns an A.
Javon Small: Efficient and Versatile
Javon Small was the team's second-best player, delivering an efficient all-around game that overwhelmed the Rockets. He is a good connector and a willing defender, qualities that could make him even more valuable in 2026-27 after the team traded Ja Morant to Portland. Small has a smooth 3-point stroke he can hit on or off the dribble, and his athleticism makes him a threat with the ball.
Two of his finest moments: a transition alley-oop pass to Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and receiving a thunderous lob from Coward. He gets an A.
Cameron Boozer: Impact Without Scoring
Cameron Boozer showed that he can be a high-impact player even when the ball is not falling. He moved his feet well, used his length and agility, and was even deployed in the full-court press. He shot poorly, logging 12 points on 23.1 percent shooting, but he was a madman on the offensive glass, grabbing seven rebounds. One of those offensive boards led to a Coward 3-pointer, a glimpse of what Grizzlies fans can expect every game. He gets a C+.
Jahmai Mashack: Clutch Shooting
Jahmai Mashack was one of three players who shot well from deep, hitting two of his three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. His second-half production helped ensure the Rockets never completed their comeback. He gets an A.
The Grizzlies now face the Golden State Warriors in the Summer League Final on Sunday. It will be a test of whether Memphis can clean up its offense while maintaining its defensive intensity.
Photo: Sports Illustrated