Rockets starter Tari Eason under review after nearly coming to blows with heckler in loss to the Kings

Things got chippy when the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings took the court on Tuesday night. Ime Udoka's team was trying to hang on to their lead, but the home side's physicality helped them pull off a comeback.

Notably, Tari Eason, as well as other Rockets players, were quite frustrated with the officiating all night long. In fact, coach Udoka was ejected late in the game after berating the officials.

It didn't take long before Eason, who also got in the referees' faces, was also ejected. Then, things took a serious turn for the third-year small forward.

Apparently, Eason threw a towel at a heckling fan, and he even tried to enter the stands and had to be held back by security. Now, he'll be subject to a league investigation and perhaps even a suspension.

Rockets HC Ime Udoka backs Tari Eason, calls out referees after ejections

Even so, his coach still had his back. Udoka didn't mince his words when talking about the officiating, and he was as angry as the moment he left the game when he took the podium:

“Blatant missed calls right in front of you,” he said after the game. “They’re calling ticky-tack moving screens, and bulls*** like that, and then you don’t want to call the obvious ones right in front of you, so that was it. Alpie got fouled a few times on that drive, and on the layup, and they don’t want to call it. I told him ‘Get some f****** glasses.' Open your eyes. Take your sensitivity and emotions out of it and call the game the right way. It’s obvious right in front of you, and John Goble — or whoever it was — sees it, doesn’t call it, and I let him know about it.”

Eason has been outstanding for the surging Rockets this season. He's averaged 11.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on 47.6% from the floor.

While not a starter, he's usually a closer because of his hard-nosed defense and ability to guard multiple positions. Coach Udoka has put an emphasis on getting stops, and Eason has emerged as one of his most trusted players and best defenders in the NBA.

Of course, Udoka will draw some criticism for his reaction, as he's expected to lead by example so his young players follow along. Then again, this is an emotional game, and they can get the best of everybody at times.