Bane scores 24 points, Jackson hits go-ahead free throws as Grizzlies beat Rockets 120-119

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., left, handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (45) handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate (8) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane, center, handles the ball between Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, right, and guard Jalen Green, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) looks to shoot against Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks struggle for control of the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) handles the ball against Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) struggles for control of the ball between Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, left, and forward Amen Thompson (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) shoots agains tMemphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and center Zach Edey, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

By CLAY BAILEY

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Jaren Jackson Jr. made the go-ahead free throws with 8.6 seconds left and scored 21, and the Memphis Grizzlies rallied past the Houston Rockets 120-119 on Thursday night.

Luke Kennard added 21 points and Santi Aldama had 15 for Memphis, which has won six of seven.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 25 points. Dillon Brooks had 22 points and Amen Thompson finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Houston’s four-game winning streak ended.

Memphis (32-16) moved within one-half game of Houston for second in the Western Conference.

Both teams were without key players. Houston’s Alperen Sengun, who was announced as a Western Conference All-Star reserve earlier Thursday, was out with a left calf contusion, and Memphis guard Ja Morant sat out with right shoulder soreness.

Takeaways

Rockets: Houston built an 11-point first-half lead on the strength of its 3-point shooting, but couldn’t hold off Memphis down the stretch.

Grizzlies: Memphis finally got past Houston after losing the teams’ previous three meetings this season.

Key moment

WIth 13 seconds left, the Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells was driving for a go-ahead, fast-break layup when official Marat Kogut called timeout. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins was livid, saying he never called timeout, and it appeared he was motioning for Wells to drive to the basket rather than signaling to stop the clock. However, Jackson drove into the paint and was fouled after the timeout, setting up the go-ahead free throws.

Key stat

The Rockets grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, leading to 30 points.

Up next

The Rockets host Brooklyn on Saturday. The Grizzlies play at Milwaukee on Sunday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba