Udoka: Injured Rockets F Tari Eason Is 'Trending In The Right Direction'

In one of the biggest matchups of their season so far, the Rockets will face the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday for the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference.

The Rockets currently have a half-game lead on the Grizzlies, and with a win, will earn a full 1.5-game lead and hold a 2-0 record in an important tiebreaker. "It'll be a good test for us," head coach Ime Udoka said.

The Rockets are coming off a dominant 135-112 victory over the Washington Wizards to begin their three-game road trip. The starting lineup got off to a slow start, being down 10 points in the first quarter, but Jalen Green scored 22 of his 29 points in the third quarter, putting the game out of reach for the Wizards. "We definitely looked a little sluggish coming out of the gate," Udoka said.

Green and Alperen Sengun continue to be the offensive leaders for the Rockets, even with more teams keying in on their play and altering their attacks. Sengun is "one of the best scoring big men in the league... We love the open shots he creates for us," Udoka said.

The Rockets have secured strong wins even with injuries affecting their rotation. Jabari Smith Jr. is out with a left metacarpal fracture, and Tari Eason has been dealing with lower left leg soreness that required surgery last March. Eason has missed 10 straight games. "We want to be smart with it," Udoka said. "He's trending in the right direction."

With players recovering from injury, Cam Whitmore has stepped up after a slow start to his sophomore season, recording 17 points in 18 minutes against the Wizards. Following his return from a brief assignment to the G League, Whitmore appeared displeased with his role on the team when speaking to the media after a win over the Dallas Mavericks.

However, Udoka combats speculation concerning Whitmore's attitude. "People are making a little bit too much out of nothing."

Rookie Reed Sheppard was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Monday and scored 49 points on 17-for-33 shooting in his debut Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Blue. According to Udoka, Sheppard won't stay in the G League for long. "He'll be back with us when we play Memphis at home [on January 13]."