Two nights after sparking the Rockets in what had been sluggish performance versus the Spurs, second-year forward Tari Eason did it again in Wednesday’s 117-104 win (box score) over Memphis. Houston (12-9) has now won four consecutive games, overall, and 11 straight at home, while Memphis (6-17) has lost three in a row.
Eason shot 10-of-16 overall (62.5%) and 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%) while finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs. The Rockets were +19 in his 27 minutes, best of any player.
Jabari Smith Jr., who was drafted along with Eason in the 2022 first round, finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 7-of-10 from the field (70.0%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%).
Between the two, it was enough for Houston to withstand a monster game by Memphis forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who had a career-high 44 points (62.5% FG, 37.5% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds, and 4 steals.
Eason and Smith’s brilliance was also enough for the Rockets to survive off nights by third-year prospects Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, who both earned seats on the bench during the fourth quarter. Sengun had 9 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 2-of-8 from the field (25.0%), while Green finished with 8 points and 4 assists while shooting 2-of-12 (16.7%) and 0-of-5 on 3-pointers.
Besides Smith and Eason, other Houston players who scored in double figures versus the Grizzlies included:
- Fred VanVleet: 11 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals; 2-of-8 shooting (25.0%), 0-of-3 on 3-pointers, 7-of-9 on free throws (77.8%)
- Dillon Brooks: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 fouls; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Jae’Sean Tate: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Wednesday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets, as a three-game road trip begins, is part two of a home-and-home series of games with the Grizzlies. Friday’s rematch tips at 7:00 p.m. Central from FedExForum in Memphis.
Dec. 13 Rockets-Grizzlies reaction
“He (Ime Udoka) is a dog. We got dogs. Coaches are dogs, all the players are dogs. I’m a dog. That’s just what it is.”
Tari Eason with a career high 25 points tonight 🔥🔥🔥
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) December 14, 2023
The 2022 draft class is carrying the #Rockets tonight.
Bari and Tari have been incredible.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 14, 2023
The Tari and Jabari Show won the game tonight. Jabari Smith is turning a corner in real time in front of us.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 14, 2023
Rockets win 117-104. Game was closer than the score would suggest.
Tari Eason had a career night with 25 points and 14 boards. 20/10 for Jabari. JJJ had 44 points for MEM.
Wasn't as easy as you would have liked, but good to see them win without Green and Sengun contributing
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 14, 2023
His name is Tari Eason, and he deserves your damn respect.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 14, 2023
Tari Eason great defense onto JJJ.
-Timely disrupt JJJ's left-hadn dribble on purpose.
-It take away JJJ entire rhythm.
-And what a contest. pic.twitter.com/KXbBkIVwLN— Skyfall (@polarfall) December 14, 2023
It can’t be understated how much the Rockets front office loves Tari Eason. As I said this offseason, they thought Tari was the best rookie in the entire league last season, per their metrics.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 14, 2023
Sengun at 16 and Tari at 17 continues to be unbelievable.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 14, 2023
Rafael hit on 3 of the 6. You really just need one of Jalen, Amen, or Cam to hit and you’re feeling very good. And the odds on 1 of 3 is pretty good.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 14, 2023
Tari-Bari-Sengun is the long term 3-4-5
Question is who are the long-term 1-2. I think Amen will grab a spot.
All just a matter of when not if.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 14, 2023
20% in rebounds in equivalent minutes is pretty darn good.
Of course, this is in addition to his uptick to 36% 3P
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 14, 2023
Bari and Tari play so well with each other – they bring the best out of each others effort.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 14, 2023
Ime Udoka said the closing lineup of FVV, Jabari, Tari, Brooks and Jeff Green won the game for the #Rockets: "Energy. Effort. Enthusiasm to play. Looked like they wanted to be here. That was the result, getting the lead back up. They played hard. Switched a lot. Got stops. Got…
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 14, 2023
Ime Udoka: "I kind of saw it on Alpi's face — frustration with missed shots and then it bleeds over to the defensive end."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 14, 2023
Ill just say this Ime has no problem shaking things up if he thinks it will help the team win. Small or large move
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 14, 2023
Brooks fouling out is the only sub Ime Udoka made in the fourth quarter. Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun did not play. That's the second straight fourth quarter Green has not played https://t.co/qk5KrzJFnC
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 14, 2023
The Alperen Sengun Accountability Game is here: Ime Udoka benches Sengun, who struggled, for the final 16+ minutes of the game. Udoka also sits Jalen Green the entire 4th.
Rockets played the final quarter with a lineup of FVV, Jabari, Tari, Brooks & Jeff Green and pulled away.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 14, 2023
Games needed for the Rockets to get their 12th win
2016-17: 19
2017-18: 16
2018-19: 26
2019-20: 18
2020-21: 42
2021-22: 43
2022-23: 50
2023-24: 21— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 14, 2023
The Rockets were quite hyped when Eason hit that 3 to give him a new career high before the timeout. Jeff Green ruffled Eason’s hair and Jae'Sean Tate got off the bench to greet Eason with a chest bump. https://t.co/fwvwpAaQpt
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) December 14, 2023
Our guest reporter @TAR13ASON of the “Clutch City Enquirer” gets the final question for @jabarismithjr @HoustonRockets | @SpaceCityHN pic.twitter.com/aZscycTOwl
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) December 14, 2023
#Rockets bench outscores the Grizzlies 58-19@HoustonRockets WIN 117-104
Jeff Green met with the media after the game pic.twitter.com/AFA7Vzigsc
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 14, 2023
The development of Sengun, Jabari and Tari makes up for Jalen Green’s disappointing progress. Whitmore has looked great in the G League
Overall, a much more positive long term outlook in HOU today compared to 2 months ago
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) December 14, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr tonight:
20 PTS
10 REB
7-10 FG
3-5 3PHis 6th career 20/10 game. https://t.co/zIxFk6NwXT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 14, 2023
If you told me Jabari would be the better overall player between him and Jalen 21 games into this season I would have said that isn't remotely possible, but I think we are here
— Abel (@AbelGe87) December 14, 2023
The #Rockets win the minutes Tari Eason plays. Plain and simple. Find more minutes for him.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 14, 2023
Jabari Smith is really starting to hit his stride and Tari Eason continues to contribute to winning basketball in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor. Really fun 2022 draft haul for the #Rockets
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 14, 2023
lookin' good DB 😏 pic.twitter.com/NjGi75wPpI
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 14, 2023
This needs to be talked about!
Jeff Green was out today for personal reasons and is now on the court for the #Rockets in the 4th giving them good production in a close game.
Definition of a pro. https://t.co/Mi245tgKeU pic.twitter.com/iFmGYmGR3y
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) December 14, 2023
It's all fun and games against the Rockets until these 2 check in. pic.twitter.com/dnJnZNjNJK
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 14, 2023
UNREAL SEQUENCE by Tari Eason and Jae’Sean Tate!!! pic.twitter.com/QGmMYp5v3O
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) December 14, 2023
This might be one of Alperen Sengun's worst games of the season man.
Rough night out there. Missing easy shots he usually makes and tunnel visioning offensively.
Jabari was WIDE open on multiple possessions where Alpi looked to score instead of making the pass.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 14, 2023
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was asked about the lack of playing time for Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun against the Memphis Grizzlies. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/3eJm6hez0i
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) December 14, 2023
