Our takeaways as Memphis Grizzlies beat Rockets to reach NBA Summer League title game
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And just like that, the Memphis Grizzlies are headed to the summer league title game.
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The Grizzlies beat the Rockets 101-90 on July 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, using a dominant first quarter to build a double-digit lead that they held throughout most of the game. Cedric Coward scored 28 points to lead the way for the Grizzlies.
It puts Memphis one win away from an NBA Summer League title, a goal they've clearly been going after this week as they elected not to rest or shut down any of their top players. Coward, Cam Boozer and the rest of the Grizzlies' summer league starting lineup has mostly stayed intact throughout the tournament, and it means the Grizzlies have a stronger roster than anyone they've come up against.
The Grizzlies will face either the Lakers or the Warriors in the title game on July 19 (8 p.m., ESPN).
Here are our takeways from the win over the Rockets.
Grizzlies are favorites to win NBA Summer League
The Grizzlies clearly flipped a switch after losing to the Mavericks on July 13, responding the next night by beating the Warriors and then crushing the Hawks two nights later when they needed a blowout win to ensure they'd have a good enough point differential to advance to the semifinals.
Energy and intensity have been hallmarks of their identity this week, and those are clearly things Memphis wants to establish once the real season starts later this year. Both Boozer and Coward are expected to be starters for the Grizzlies when the regular season begins, and they've now gotten ample time to build chemistry together ahead of the season.
Coward was the standout against the Rockets, coming out on fire in the second half and helping the Grizzlies overcome a run from the Rockets to eventually book their place in the final.
Javon Small impresses again
The Grizzlies have four standard-contract players in their starting lineup, but Small — who is on a two-way deal — has at times been their most impressive player. He spurred Memphis to a win over the Warriors when Coward and Boozer were struggling, and he was efficient again against the Rockets.
Memphis has plenty of options at point guard heading into the season, including established NBA players Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome. But Small has shown he can at least be a part of that rotation and has showcased significant improvement from his rookie campaign.
Small finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists against the Rockets.
Next up
The Grizzlies are headed to the title game, where they'll try to win their second NBA Summer League championship. Memphis won the title in 2019, then lost in overtime in the championship game in 2024.
It'll be Memphis' ninth summer league game (including games from Salt Lake City) and their fifth in seven days. That's given them plenty of time to build chemistry, especially with main-roster players like Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Taylor Hendricks playing significant roles alongside Coward and Boozer.
First round pick Karim López missed the game against the Rockets with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of most of summer league. He was listed as "day-to-day."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Our takeaways as Memphis Grizzlies beat Rockets to reach NBA Summer League title game