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December 14, 2023

How Rockets won their 11th in a row at home starts with bench

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Today's starting lineup

The Rockets were staring at what Jonathan Feigen described as what unquestionably would have been their worst loss of the season.

The team's big lead over Memphis had disappeared and frustration was creeping in. The solution? Turn to the bench for a shot of energy, effort and enthusiasm. It was the second night in a row that Ime Udoka had turned to Tari Eason and the rest of the second unit to provide a late spark.

Whatever Udoka is doing, seems to be working. As the Rockets finished the first quarter of the season, a look at how Houston has become a winning team.

This weekend in Nashville promises to be on the awkward side for true Houston Oiler fans. The Titans will be wearing their throwback jerseys and honoring former Oiler Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. Yes, Tennessee kept all rights to the Oilers when the franchise moved over 25 years ago. But this one hurts, Jerome Solomon writes.

As for Houston's current NFL team, the Texans, the watch remains on C.J. Stroud and his concussion. He didn't practice on Wednesday but was described as being a "little better." If he doesn't make any progress in the NFL's five-step protocol, we could see Davis Mills at quarterback. In our latest Fifth Down podcast, Jerome Solomon and Jonathan M. Alexander disuss the impact of Stroud's concussion and the playoff race.

He won't be on the UH campus until next season, but recruit Mercy Miller has his dad out shopping for a Mercedes after Mercy scored 68 points in a high school game. His father, the rapper known as Master P, had said he could get a car if he scored 50 before a recent game. As for UH coach Kelvin Sampson, he's fine with the offense but sees other things like rebounding and passing in Miller's game.

Turning to college football, Texas appears to be losing quarterback Maalik Murphy. The quarterback is entering the transfer portal, leaving Arch Manning as the backup to Quinn Ewers. And the SEC added the dates to its football schedule for 2024.

It's UIL state football championship week in Arlington. In Wednesday's first three games, there were a lot of points and some big plays. A recap plus all our coverage will be linked here.

Stat of the day: 97. Timpson set a UIL championship game record for any classification when Dacorian Johnson took a short pass from Terry Bussey and sprinted away for a 97-yard touchdown.

Reid Laymance HeadshotReid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com
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Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) reacts after a timeout is called by Memphis after his 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Rockets' reserves bring energy, effort, enthusiasm and a win

After seeing a big lead dwindle, Houston's bench players provided the spark in fourth quarter to avoid an embarrassing loss


Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans

One of the NFL's first players to display elaborate end-zone celebrations, return specialist Billy 'White Shoes' Johnson is getting into the Titans' Ring of Honor at this week's Texans game during Oilers Tribute Week in Nashville. 

Photo by: Houston Chronicle File Photos

Solomon: Titans dis true Oilers fans with 'White Shoes' tribute

Yes, the Tennessee Titans own the history of the Houston Oilers, but Nashville knows nothing of the joy and pain teams created in Bayou City

  • Throwbacks: The Tennessee Titans are making sure the Houston Texans know they own the Oilers brand when the AFC South rivals play Sunday in Nashville.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills throws a football while warming up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Start might loom in Davis Mills' immediate future

Coach DeMeco Ryans says he prioritizes the long-term health of his players, suggesting a concussed C.J. Stroud could sit Sunday against the Titans. 


College Basketball

Mercy Miller, who has signed with UH, knocks the ball away from Noah Williams of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on January 27, 2023 in Los Angeles.

Photo by: Harry How/Getty Images

UH signee Mercy Miller has his dad, Master P, looking for a car

Mercy Miller scored 68 points in recent high school game but UH coach Kelvin Sampson is just as impressed with his passing, rebounding


College Football

Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) looks to throw against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo by: Eric Gay, Associated Press

Texas backup QB Maalik Murphy to enter transfer portal

The redshirt freshman's departure leaves Arch Manning as the backup to Quinn Ewers for the College Football Playoff.

  • Save the dates: Notable SEC games before the Horns and Aggies renew their rivalry Nov. 30 at Kyle Field include visits from Georgia to Austin and LSU to College Station. 

College Volleyball

Texas Longhorns outside hitter Madisen Skinner (6) digs the ball during the Big 12 women's college volleyball match between Texas Longhorns and BYU Cougars on Sept. 29, 2023, at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin. 

Photo by: Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images

Katy's Skinner shot at another volleyball title with Texas

After starting her career with a title at Kentucky, Madisen Skinner eventually transferred to Texas and is aiming at a third title.


High School Football

Summer Creek's Lloyd Avant (25) and Kobe Roberts (80) dance after defeating Cibolo Steele in a Class 6A Division II state semifinal game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas.

Photo by: Jerry Larson/For The Chronicle

Summer Creek vision reaches fruition with title game appearance

When coach Kenny Harrison took over the Bulldogs in 2018, his No. 1 goal was to win a state crown. Defending 6A-DII champ DeSoto is the final obstacle.


Worth a read

• NBA suspends Golden State's Draymond Green indefinitely. (San Francisco Chronicle)

• Juan Soto is ready for the New York spotlight. But how long will it shine? (Washington Post)

• Answering the big questions about the NCAA's new NIL proposal. (Sports Illustrated)

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