Houston Rockets open their season with 128-110 win over Dallas Mavericks for Toyota Center on Wednesday night, but Tari Eason no finish the first quarter. Officials eject the Houston forward after im shove on Dallas forward P. J. Washington, and the call become Flagrant 2 after replay review.
The shove happen with 2:47 left for opening quarter. Eason push Washington for back and Washington slide across floor. The contact start brief confrontation before players separate and officials go monitor. Dem first whistle common foul, but after review dem upgrade am to Flagrant 2, wey mean automatic ejection. Eason finish with two points, one rebound and one steal in three minutes off bench. Na im fourth ejection of im five-year career and fifth flagrant foul.
Before that shove, Washington bin give Eason small push under basket as dem battle for rebound for same Dallas possession. Houston coach Ime Udoka no defend the shove, but e tok say e surprise say dem rule am Flagrant 2. E believe na Flagrant 1 the play deserve. Udoka also tok say the two forwards bin dey shoving match and say Washington got in a few before Eason get am back.
Houston bin lead 22-18 when Eason receive ejection. Dem later fall behind 26-25, but dem run 40-10 to lead 65-36 late for first half. Kevin Durant, who score 30 points, tok say e funny say Eason get ejection, but the team rally around the moment. E say the game bin close at that point, dem get some great possessions in a row and that help dem take the lead. Durant also give Dallas credit, say Houston bin get to fight for the win because na NBA team with great talent dem play, and Dallas make the second half their own.
Eason sign five-year, $81.5 million contract in July and e dey first season of that deal. Houston commit to am because of the energy, toughness and defensive edge wey e dey bring off bench. Eason bin be first substitute off bench along with Marcus Smart. Fred VanVleet also return from long ACL absence for the game.
