The Houston Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 117-104, at Toyota Center on Wednesday night.

The Rockets (12-9) didn't waste any time establishing their will over their inferior opponent early, building a 29-23 lead after one that had expanded to 57-43 by halftime. The Grizzlies (6-17) then played their best quarter in the third, erasing all but one point of their deficit going into the final period. However, that appeared to give Houston a dose of urgency, as they outscored Memphis by a 35-23 margin.

Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 44 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Derrick Rose supplied 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and one block. Vince Williams Jr. registered 10 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Tari Eason paced the Rockets with a 25-point, 14-rebound double-double that included one assist, one steal and one block. Jabari Smith posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Fred VanVleet totaled 11 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals. Dillon Brooks managed 11 points, two rebounds and one assist.

The two teams reconvene at Toyota Center for a rematch Friday night.