With shooting percentages of below 40% from the field and under 30% from 3-point range, 2022-23 hasn’t been the rookie season that Jabari Smith Jr. expected with the Houston Rockets. After all, shooting was supposedly one of the 19-year-old’s strengths when he was drafted at No. 3 overall in the 2022 first round out of Auburn.
There are, however, some positive signs of late. In Houston’s 118-96 loss (box score) on Tuesday to Brooklyn, Smith had 15 points and 8 rebounds on 6-of-13 shooting (46.7%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%). Over his last three games, the 6-foot-11 forward is shooting 53.8% overall and 41.7% on 3-pointers, and that has led to better results for the rebuilding Rockets (15-50), who are 2-1 over that run.
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It wasn’t nearly enough to beat the Nets (37-28), who were led by yet another strong game from Mikal Bridges. The versatile wing acquired from Phoenix in the Kevin Durant trade scored a game-high 30 points on 9-of-20 shooting (45.0%) and 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40.0%).
But within the appropriate context, there were positive signs for Smith and the rest of a young Rockets group. Big man Alperen Sengun added 16 points and 12 rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), while Jalen Green scored a team-high 25 points on 9-of-21 shooting (42.9%).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for Houston is Thursday night’s road game at Indiana, with the tip from Gainbridge Fieldhouse set for 6 p.m. Central.
Obviously going to waste tonight, but is Jabari Smith Jr. starting to turn things around? He is 6 of 12, including 3 of 6 on 3s. In the past three games, he is 14 of 25, 5 of 10 on 3s.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 8, 2023
Really liked the minutes where Jabari was the 5. A lot of small-small pick-and-roll with Jalen and Tate, with Jabari in the corner (where he shoots the best from). Defensively, they switched a ton and it wasn’t awful.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) March 8, 2023
Jalen Green with a sensational drive and slam on Claxton, his second on the Nets center tonight. He has 21 but could be done for the night.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 8, 2023
Jalen Green has TWO posters on Nic Claxton tonight
My God
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 8, 2023
I love how Jalen Green is attacking the basket, accepting contact, and getting to the FT line. That is growth. Just make your FTs. #Rockets
— Chris A. White ???? (@fyrebear) March 8, 2023
The case for (relative) upside with this group, you can see clear bright spots when they’re engaged and thinking they actually have a chance. Entered feeling good after two wins.
They just fall into “here we go again” mode so easily. #RotOfLosing https://t.co/lBIeQv8mrL
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 8, 2023
Teams throw all they can at Jalen and Sengun which tbh makes it that much more impressive that these guys are still able to do what they do, once things begin to open up for them with some roster tweaks and a coaching change these guys are seriously going to take off
— Abel (@AbelGe87) March 8, 2023
3pt shooting tonight:
Rockets 7/25; Nets 15/39Rockets trail 118-96 with 1 minute remaining in the game.
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) March 8, 2023
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