Convenience Big Store: Rockets win 10th in a row at home

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If only the Rockets could play every game at home. They won their 10th in a row at Toyota Center with a 93-82 victory over the Spurs that was far more grit than glitz.

Tari Eason epitomized the night as he fought through illness and injury. A find-a-way kind of player, Eason scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Turning to the Texans, all eyes this week will be on C.J. Stroud and his progress through the NFL's concussion protocol. Although the team could certainly use him at the Titans on Sunday as it tries to stay in the AFC playoff race, DeMeco Ryans reminded that there is a bigger picture to consider: the long-term health of its franchise player. It's a five-step process so we won't know anything soon.

Quinnen Williams, the Jets lineman who made the hit on Stroud, wanted to make it clear that it was just football and that he is not a dirty player. It was the turf at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., that drew most of the ire of Texans players.

The 30-6 loss to the Jets also underscored the team's dwindling depth of playmakers. Five things we learned from the loss.

In college football, Texas' T'Vondre Sweat and Texas A&M's Edgerrin Cooper were named to the AP All-America first team. The Longhorns also had Byron Murphy and Xavier Worthy honored on the second- and third-team, respectively.

It's UIL state football championship week in Arlington. A fans' guide to the week plus all our coverage will be linked here.

Stat of the day: 37.9. Minutes per game for the Rockets' Fred VanVleet. That's second in the NBA this season.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, center left, drives into San Antonio Spurs forward Doug McDermott, center right, as Jeremy Sochan, left, and Tre Jones, right, look on during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Photo by: Michael Wyke/Associated Press

Tari Eason shines through adversity

Tari Eason scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, overcoming injury and illness to power the Rockets to a victory over the Spurs.

Rockets 93, Spurs 82: While extending their home winning streak, the Rockets stretched the Spurs' losing streak to a 17th consecutive game, a franchise record.
Gamer: At 37.9 minues per game, Fred VanVleet, the difference maker on both ends of the floor, ranks second in the NBA. And he'd happily accept 48.

Texans / NFL

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 10: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans on the field after a play during the fourth quarter in the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Photo by: Al Bello, Getty Images

Playing it safe with C.J. Stroud's return from concussion

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says team will see how quarterback is responding before making any decisions on return but has eye on bigger picture

Concussion protocol: A player diagnosed with a concussion must go through a five-step process before being cleared to fully practice or participate in a game.
Coming clean: Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams delivered a big hit on C.J. Stroud but said he isn't a dirty player.
Loss lessons: Loss to Jets underscores issues with dwindling depth among playmakers
Turf talk: The Texans joined the long list of teams critical of the playing surface at MetLife Stadium after suffering injuries to key players.

High School Football

Summer Creek Head Coach Kenny Harrison is doused with water as he celebrates with assistant coaches 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 ready for first state title game appearance

Summer Creek has used a physical brand of football to spur its run through the Texas high school football playoffs and into the state title game.

Fans' guide: Everything fans need to know about the UIL state football championships in Arlington this week.
Starting point: Find all the coverage of the UIL state football championships in one place.
Mr. Football: Mr. Texas Football award finalists include players from North Shore, Summer Creek and Willis.

High School Basketball

Alief Taylor's Nataliyah Gray (22) is guarded by Dawson's Sarah Allison (23) Friday, Jan. 27, 2023 at Dawson High School.

Photo by: Kirk Sides, Staff Photographer

Nataliyah Gray leads girls basketball top performers

The top girls basketball performances from across the Houston area.

Girls rankings: Fort Bend Austin took over the top spot in our weekly Houston-area girls basketball rankings.
Top boys: Shadow Creek's Michael Collins leads this week's list of top performances
Boys rankings: Shadow Creek was the biggest mover in our weekly rankings, jumping three spots to No. 5.