Tag: Tari Eason

Draymond Green, Klay Thompson impressed by Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason

“They play the game the right way and go about the business of playing good basketball,” Draymond Green says of #Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason. “That is very hard to find.”

HOUSTON — When it comes to Golden State Warriors forward and four-time champion Draymond Green, NBA fans know one thing.

The 33-year-old forward is going to speak his mind, and he shares his true feelings about nearly any situation. That is why it was no surprise Green was very candid after his team broke an 11-game road losing streak by defeating the Rockets on Monday, .

“You get in a certain situation and it’s very easy to build bad habits,” Green said in his postgame press conference. “But habits are hard to break. You build bad habits, and it kind of becomes who you are. It’s important to try to play the right way.”

Houston has shown glimpses of playing the right way, as it finished its six-game homestand with a 3-3 record. That stretch included a three-game winning streak. The Rockets also gained a glance into the future. Rookies Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason performed very well against the defending champions.

Smith finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds while filling in at center, where Alperen Sengun was out sick. With 12 rebounds, Eason had his own double-double, and his 21 points were a career high.

Once Golden State’s Green returned to the locker room, he raved about how Houston’s rookies played the game.

“They want to be good,” Green told RocketsWire about Smith and Eason. “They play the game the right way and go about the business of playing good basketball. That is very hard to find in today’s NBA. A lot of these players want what comes from the game without putting in what it takes to be successful. Those two are always looking to improve, and as rookies, that is a good attitude to have.”

Green’s teammate, Klay Thompson, also praised the play of the two rookies. He was particularly impressed by Smith, who matched himself against Thompson on numerous occasions.

“How old is he, 20?,” Thompson asked. After being informed that Smith was only 19, he whistled and shook his head. “Damn. That ain’t the Houston Rockets I am used to playing against.”

“The sky is the limit for him,” Thompson said of Smith. “I wasn’t even in the league at 19. I was a freshman in college. He has a nice-looking jump shot. He is a very talented young player, and if he keeps working, he is going to be with this franchise as long as he wants.”

Houston returned to action in Memphis on Wednesday night, its first stop on a five-game road trip.

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Rookie Tari Eason enjoys career night as Warriors; ‘Splash Brothers’ sink Rockets

Golden State’s “Splash Brothers” were again dominant in Houston, but #Rockets rookie Tari Eason made a big impression of his own with a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds.

HOUSTON — In the finale of a six-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets fell to the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Monday night, 121-108 (box score). At 3-3, it was still a relatively successful home stretch for a young and rebuilding club.

In this one, “Splash Brothers” Steph Curry (29 points, 7 rebounds) and Klay Thompson (30 points, 7 rebounds) did what the future Hall of Famers typically do in Houston. Each splashed five 3-pointers in a victory for the visiting Warriors.

Houston dropped to 18-54 with Monday’s loss, while Golden State improved to 37-36 as it attempts to make a push in the Western Conference playoff race. It was the second night of a back-to-back for the Rockets, who also played on Sunday versus New Orleans.

With big man Alperen Sengun out sick, Jabari Smith Jr. shifted to center and rookie Tari Eason took advantage of an opportunity to start at power forward, finishing with a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds. Eason hit 9-of-16 shots (56.3%), and he also had four steals.

Jalen Green had 20 points for Houston and made 3-of-7 from 3-point range (42.9%), though he hit just 4-of-12 from inside the arc (33.3%). Smith had another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 7-of-15 (46.7%) and 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%).

With the homestand complete, next up for the Rockets is a five-game road trip. It starts with games in Memphis on Wednesday and Friday nights, with tipoff of both at 7 p.m. Central.

Until then, here’s our look at postgame reaction, interviews, highlights, and much more from Monday night in Houston.

Jabari Smith Jr. continues surge with 20 and 10 as Bulls edge Rockets

Chicago got the win with a late rally, but #Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. continued his recent surge with an impressive 20 points and 10 rebounds on Saturday night.

Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. continued his resurgence for the Rockets in a 119-111 loss (box score) to the Bulls on Saturday night at Toyota Center. Chicago improved to 31-36 with the come-from-behind win, while Houston dropped to an NBA-worst 15-52 in defeat.

Smith led the Rockets with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, shooting 8-of-14 overall (57.1%) and 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%).

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 36 points and 9 rebounds on 14-of-26 shooting (53.8%), including 3-of-8 on 3-pointers. Veteran star DeMar DeRozan added 27 points and 7 rebounds on 9-of-21 shooting (42.9%) and 2-of-3 from 3-point range (66.7%).

Beyond Smith, other Houston players in double figures included:

  • Jalen Green: 18 points, 7 assists; 7-of-14 shooting (50%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • KJ Martin: 16 points, 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Kevin Porter Jr.: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
  • Tari Eason: 12 points, 4 rebounds; 4-of-4 on 3-pointers

Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews. Next up for Houston, as its six-game homestand continues, is Monday’s matchup versus Boston. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.

In routing Spurs, Kevin Porter Jr. deals Rockets to rare winning streak

After Sunday’s blowout of San Antonio, the #Rockets have a winning streak for just the fourth time this season. Kevin Porter Jr. led the way for Houston with a season-high 13 assists.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored an efficient 19 points and dished a season-high 13 assists on Sunday, leading the Houston Rockets to an emphatic, 142-110, win (box score) over San Antonio at Toyota Center.

For the young and rebuilding Rockets (15-49), who are tied for the NBA’s worst record with Detroit, it’s the fourth time in the 2022-23 season that they’ve won consecutive games. They also defeated the Spurs (16-49) on Saturday in San Antonio. That combination of results could significantly help the Spurs from the perspective of the 2023 NBA draft race, pending future results.

The Rockets are 2-1 since Porter returned last Wednesday from a 20-game absence with a left foot contusion. For the season, the Rockets are 3-18 (.143) when their starting point guard is out of the lineup — good for a win pace of under 12 games over a full 82-game campaign — and 12-31 (.279) when he plays, which is a 23-win pace.

Porter made 7-of-11 shots (63.6%) versus the Spurs, including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%). In his injury absence, the Rockets were largely devoid of point guards, with undrafted second-year guard Daishen Nix and rookie TyTy Washington picking up the bulk of minutes.

Backcourt mate Jalen Green scored a game-high 31 points Sunday on 11-of-19 shooting (57.9%), including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Starting center Alperen Sengun added 15 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals for the Rockets on 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%).

Other Houston players in double figures were:

  • Tari Eason: 17 points, 8 rebounds; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 16 points, 2 rebounds; 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • KJ Martin: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; 3-of-6 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers

After sitting out Saturday, Devin Vassell returned to San Antonio’s lineup with 13 points and a team-high 5 assists, though Houston held him to 5-of-15 shooting (33.3%) and 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%).

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for Houston is Tuesday night’s home game versus Brooklyn, with the tip from Toyota Center set for 7 p.m. Central.

Tari Eason ties career high as Rockets snap 11-game losing streak

Eason tied a career high to help lead the Rockets to a win over the Spurs to snap their 11-game losing streak.

Tari Eason tied a career high off the bench on Saturday to help lead the Houston Rockets to a win over the San Antonio Spurs to snap their 11-game losing streak.

Eason produced 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots in the 122-110 victory on the road. He went 7-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, in 31 minutes as the Rockets won for the first time since Feb. 1.

The 17th pick had a little bit of everything working in the win, from his defensive activity to his scoring and shooting. He also found success getting into the paint and finishing at the rim.

He wanted to give everything he had on the court.

“I told everybody that post-All-Star break, I’m going to do whatever it takes to sacrifice for the team and be the best version of myself,” Eason told Vanessa Richardson of AT&T SportsNet Southwest. “That’s just what I’m trying to do for these games we have left.”

Eason is in the midst of his best stretch of the season.

He has scored in double figures in four straight games for the first time, and is averaging 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks over that stretch. He has delivered on his message to his teammates and is playing some of his best basketball yet.

“I’ve seen myself grow a lot with finishing, making the right reads and just playing the right way,” Eason said. “I’ve been working hard so it is finally paying off.”

Eason looks to be building momentum heading into the Rockets’ last 19 games. He has performed when called upon in a limited sample size, and looks to be a player the team can build around in the future.

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Takeaways: Rockets end losing streak in Tari Eason’s career night at San Antonio

Rookie forward Tari Eason tied his career-high with 20 points as the #Rockets ended their 11-game losing streak with a big win at San Antonio. Here’s our look at postgame reaction.

The 11-game losing streak for the Rockets is no more after Saturday’s 122-110 win (box score) at San Antonio. In a battle of two young and rebuilding clubs at the bottom of the Western Conference, Houston improved to 14-49, while the Spurs dropped to 16-48.

Rookie forward Tari Eason led a balanced effort for the Rockets with 20 points, which tied his career high. Eason hit 7-of-11 shots (63.6%) on Saturday, 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), and he also grabbed 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks over his 31 minutes.

Other Houston players in double-figures included:

  • KJ Martin: 14 points, 13 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 12 points, 4 assists; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%)
  • Kevin Porter Jr.: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 4-of-10 shooting (40.0%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists; 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 12 points, 2 rebounds; 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Josh Christopher: 14 points, 4 assists; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%)
  • Usman Garuba: 11 points, 3 rebounds; 3-of-3 on 3-pointers

The Spurs were led in defeat by Devonte’ Graham, who had 28 points and 4 assists on 7-of-12 shooting from 3-point range (58.3%).

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for both Texas rivals is part two of their weekend back-to-back, with a rematch in Houston set for 6 p.m. Central on Sunday.

Jalen Green impresses in return, but Jamal Murray leads Nuggets past Rockets

#Rockets guard Jalen Green returned from a groin injury and played well in limited minutes, but Denver’s Jamal Murray was too much to handle in Houston’s 10th straight loss.

HOUSTON — The losing streak for the Rockets (13-48) is at 10 games after Tuesday’s 133-112 loss (box score) at Toyota Center. Led by 32 points from Jamal Murray, the victorious Denver Nuggets continue to own the Western Conference’s best record (44-19).

Murray, who was questionable to play pregame with a sore back, connected on 12-of-18 shots (66.7%) and 5-of-10 from 3-point range (50.0%). Following an historic 71-point outburst by Portland’s Damian Lillard on Sunday, it was the second straight game that Houston was torched by an opposing guard who shredded its defense.

Yet, when accounting for the superior competition, there were at least some positives for the young and rebuilding Rockets. For starters, they had Jalen Green successfully return from a groin injury, and Houston also expects to get injured backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. back in its lineup Wednesday versus Memphis.

While on a minutes limitation, Green was impressive with 17 points and 5 assists versus the Nuggets in 19 minutes, shooting 7-of-15 from the field (46.7%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%).

Other key statistics for the Rockets included:

  • Tari Eason: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists; 7-of-10 shooting (70.0%)
  • Daishen Nix: 14 points, 5 assists; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • KJ Martin: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%)
  • TyTy Washington: 12 points, 5 assists; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
  • Josh Christopher: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for the Rockets is part two of a tough back-to-back when Memphis visits Houston on Wednesday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Damian Lillard scores career-high 71 as Blazers best Rockets

All-Star guard Damian Lillard scored a career-high 71 points against the Rockets, including 41 in an epic first half, as Portland cruised to victory on Sunday night.

All-Star guard Damian Lillard scored a career-high 71 points on Sunday, including 41 in an astonishing first-half outburst, leading the host Trail Blazers to a 131-114 win (box score) over the young and rebuilding Rockets. Houston (13-47) continues to hold the NBA’s worst record and has now lost nine straight games.

In his historic game, Lillard connected on 22-of-38 shots (57.9%), 13-of-22 from 3-point range (59.1%), and went 14-of-14 on free throws. His total of 62 points was the most by any player in Trail Blazers history and the most by any player against the Rockets in team history.

The Rockets were again without usual starting guards Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jalen Green (left groin strain).

Among Houston players who did play, key performances were:

  • Alperen Sengun: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; 8-of 16 shooting (50.0%)
  • Daishen Nix: 16 points (career high), 2 assists; 7-of-19 shooting (36.8%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.7%)
  • Tari Eason: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • KJ Martin: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 16 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds; 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%)
  • Boban Marjanovic: 10 points, 3 rebounds in 6 minutes; 4-of-5 shooting (80.0%)

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston, starting Tuesday, is a tough back-to-back at home versus Denver and Memphis — currently the top-two seeds in the Western Conference. Both tipoffs are at 7 p.m. Central.

Player grades: 2022-23 Houston Rockets at the All-Star break

At a team level, the 2022-23 #Rockets season is one to forget. However, there are some individual bright spots, starting with Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and KJ Martin.

At the NBA’s All-Star break for its 2022-23 season, the numbers aren’t pretty for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets.

Their 13-45 record is the worst in the NBA, as is Houston’s offensive rating (110.0). Their defensive rating (118.4) ranks 28th among the league’s 30 teams, and their net rating (-8.4) is No. 29.

Head coach Stephen Silas is in the final fully guaranteed season of his current contract, and questions have been raised whether he will be offered a second deal. Many fans have raised questions regarding general manager Rafael Stone as well.

Yet, it’s not as if the franchise is hopeless. For starters, they will have another high pick in what should be a strong 2023 NBA draft class, and they’re positioned to have the most salary cap space this offseason (up to $60 million, approximately) of any NBA team. That could help them attract marquee veterans, such as James Harden.

In addition, while the sum of the parts clearly hasn’t amounted to much this season — particularly given a void of veterans — there are some individual bright spots among the young prospects.

Among players averaging at least 10 minutes per game, here’s our individual grades. These grades are relative to expectations entering the season, i.e. a high grade for a bench player doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s outplayed a high-profile starter with a worse grade. It’s all relative to where each player began the 2022-23 campaign.

This list is sorted by total minutes, from most to least.

Rockets’ Tari Eason named as an injury replacement in Rising Stars game

Eason is on pace to become the third player to average at least eight points, five rebounds and one steal in fewer than 20 minutes per game.

The NBA on Thursday announced that Houston Rockets rookie Tari Eason will replace Detroit Pistons rookie Jalen Duren in the NBA Rising Stars competition on Friday in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Duren will miss the annual showcase at All-Star Weekend due to a sprained right ankle, the league announced. He missed five games last month because of the injury and now will rest ahead of the Pistons’ final 23 games of the season.

He is averaging 8.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 51 games.

Eason was viewed as perhaps the top snub from the Rising Stars game, and will now have the opportunity to play in the exhibition. He is averaging 8.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 44.4% shooting from the field in 58 games.

The 17th pick has started only three times, but he is on pace to become the third player to average at least eight points, five rebounds and one steal in fewer than 20 minutes per game in a season.

He recorded three straight double-doubles from Jan. 26-Feb. 1.

The Rising Stars competition will feature four seven-player teams competing in a mini-tournament consisting of three games for the second straight year. Each game will be played to a final target score, meaning a game will end with a made basket or a made free throw instead of a running clock.

The pool of 28 players for the game consists of 11 first-year players, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The rookies and sophomores were selected by assistant coaches, and the G League players were chosen by the league office.

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