Westbrook scores 33 as Rockets rout Grizzlies 140-112

HOUSTON (AP) — Russell Westbrook and James Harden combined for 63 points as the Houston Rockets sailed to their fifth straight win, 140-112 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Harden piled up 30 points without playing in the fourth quarter and Westbrook, who had 33, sat down for good with about six minutes left. The duo had 46 points by halftime as Houston built a 73-47 lead.

The Rockets pushed their advantage to 35 after scoring the first nine points of the third quarter. The Grizzlies then scored the next 13 points, capped by a 3-pointer from De’Anthony Melton, to cut it to 82-60 with about 7½ minutes left in the period.

Houston coach Mike D’Antoni called a timeout and the Rockets got back on track after that, using a 10-3 spurt, with 3s from P.J. Tucker and Harden, to extend it to 92-63 midway through the quarter.

A 9-0 run late in the third got the Grizzlies within 17, but the Rockets closed out the period with an 11-5 run, capped by a 3 from Austin Rivers at the buzzer, to take a 111-88 lead into the fourth.

Dillon Brooks had 22 points for the Grizzlies, who finished 0-4 on their longest road trip of the season.

Westbrook also had nine rebounds and eight assists after missing Monday’s game with a sore thumb. It was his second straight 30-point game and fourth in his last five.

Harden hit seven 3-pointers on a night when the Rockets made 23 of 50 from long range.

Houston’s winning streak started in the game before the All-Star break, and the Rockets have scored 120 points or more in all four wins since then, beating Golden State, Utah and New York before Wednesday’s rout.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Melton received a flagrant foul 1 for a hard foul on Robert Covington early in the third quarter. … Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 10 rebounds. … Ja Morant scored 12 points with nine assists.

Rockets: G Eric Gordon missed the game after bruising his right knee Monday night. … Thabo Sefolosha sat out with flu-like symptoms. … Westbrook received a technical foul just before halftime for arguing after being called for an offensive foul. … Rivers had 23 points off the bench. … Covington had three blocks for his fifth straight game with at least three.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Host the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Rockets: Visit the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.