ROCKETS 114, THUNDER 110
Jae'Sean Tate leads Rockets to 4th straight win beating Thunder, 114-110
Dec 2, 2021, 2:12 pm
ROCKETS 114, THUNDER 110
No Christian Wood. No Kevin Porter Jr. No Jalen Green. No problem. Jae’ Sean Tate became a complete superhero for the Houston Rockets versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
Look at this stat ‼️🚨 https://t.co/VtCdeZFDkN
— Zach Allen (@RenzoTheDon) December 2, 2021
He recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 5.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals and shot 73 percent from the field. With that stat line, he joined former Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon and other historic big men from the past, which Tim MacMahon reported.
Jae’Sean Tate had a @Stathead search kind of night in the Rockets’ fourth straight W: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks, 2 steals
List of guys to put up those numbers: pic.twitter.com/JaRmfVAw9g
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 2, 2021
Tate is known for his leadership and the ability to be humble. When a reporter asked Tate about the stat line, he said, “How many turnovers? Nah, 25 assists, that’s what sup! Can’t be mad at that.” An expression like that shows the importance of putting his teammates first before taking all the shine. Tate is providing more passion with communication and being the rock that the "Baby Rockets" can lean on.
Coach Silas' confidence in Tate is something built from last year and it shows. Those two have constant dialogue throughout the game, and it’s seen before the huddle or when Silas is standing on the sideline before he calls a play. Silas has run consistent sets for Tate, as he did that within the 15-game losing streak. He dialed up an out of bounds action with 33.4 seconds left, so Tate could make a clutch layup towards the rim.
Tate has been running iso elbow for awhile and is comfortable to convert when his number is called. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/ROHk0W84xY
— Zach Allen (@RenzoTheDon) December 2, 2021
“Long, long, long ago in his rookie year…we definitely have a bond and with those two guys out, we needed some scoring,” Silas said. “He was the guy who was playing the hardest from start to finish and down the stretch we ran that elbow iso for him. And he just went through his defender and finished. And he made some huge plays in the 4th quarter, which is what you need. Yeah, I trust him as much as anybody else, and he has earned that, and he deserves it.”
“That just shows the confidence Coach Silas, and my teammates have in me,” said Tate. “We lost some of our primary guys tonight. And not only me, but everybody also stepped up.”
His usage rating is slowly going up, which is posted at 18.9 percent per NBA stats. In isolation, Tate is averaging 1.00 points per possession, which puts him in the 75th percentile(!) per NBA stats. Tate is seeing more action out of the corner, so it can allow him to get to his left hand on offense. The elbow iso action is a play that Tate has run since high school, college, overseas, and in the NBA now. He mentioned that the set allows him to get comfortable when his number is called.
“That’s not my primary role and I think everyone knows that,” Tate said. “I am very confident [in] what I bring to the table offensively. Not only scoring wise but seeing the floor and being able to make [a] decision in space. And that kind of helps me when they overlook the scouting report.”
“[I've] been running that play since I was [in] high school. At Ohio St. I ran that. Even when I was overseas, Will Weaver, that was a play he put in. To have that called tonight, it felt familiar and it’s one of my strengths. And playing in the mid-post area and getting to my left hand.”
28 seconds of Jae’ Sean Tate getting to his left hand countless times, which lead to 32 points. #Rockets
“I’m shocked nobody reads the scouting report” pic.twitter.com/HdeG3eIJHF
— Zach Allen (@RenzoTheDon) December 2, 2021
Tate was excellent for the Rockets on both sides of the ball, as he had a 116.9 offensive and 108.5 defensive rating with an 82.5 percent in true shooting versus the Thunder. Hopefully, Tate can be the leading catalyst again, as the Rockets face the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans, which are winnable games. It should become a six-game winning streak, as John Wall might play if his condition is right.
Up next: The Rockets face the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Third baseman Alex Bregman had surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow.
Health
Agent Scott Boras revealed the operation during a news conference Wednesday at the general managers meetings.
“He’s had his procedure. He’s going to be back swinging here in a few weeks, so he’s all through that process,” Boras said.
The Houston Astros, Bregman's former team, said any details had to come from Boras.
Bregman became a free agent last Thursday, after the expiration of a $100 million, five-year deal agreed to in March 2019 that covered 2020-24. The 30-year-old hit .260 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs and has a .272 career average with 191 homers and 663 RBIs in nine big league seasons, all with the Astros.
Position versatility
Boras said Bregman is willing to move to second base. The two-time All-Star has played third exclusively since 2020.
With Bregman willing to play second base, more teams could have interest in his services.
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