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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Rockets 117, Grizzlies 104: Tari Eason’s career night extends winning streaks

Tari Eason Rockets Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr Jalen Green Alperen Sengun Grizzlies Ime Udoka Jeff Green Memphis (Organization)

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

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